Delaware sees substantial reduction in drug overdose deaths

DELAWARE – Delaware State Agencies have announced a substantial reduction in drug overdose deaths from 2023 to 2024.

The number of drug overdose deaths in 2024 was down nearly 36% from that in 2023, according to several state agencies in Delaware.

The total number of confirmed drug deaths in the First State in 2024 was 338 compared with 527 in 2023.

“It is very significant because it’s showing that what we’re doing is actually effective, it’s showing that the guidance and the track that we’re on is actually working along with our governmental agencies and giving us the extra push that we need to help the patients,” said Ronshende Whittington, Site Director at Addiction Medical Facility.

Whittington said they’re seeing an increase in individuals coming into their facility in Seaford, but a drop in usage.

“We’ve seen a lot of decrease in the usage here, we currently have 449 patients,” said Whittington. “We currently have 148 patients who have successfully maintained abstinence from use and they are currently receiving take home privileges.”

Whittington said that’s in part due to their collaborative treatment, like distributing naloxone, providing counseling services and help with medication and medical needs.

DHSS Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Director Joanna Champney said the drug death reduction mirrors other states in the country.

“We are following suit with the rest of the region and most of the states around the country that have seen a significant decrease in drug deaths in the last year,” said Champney.

Champney said while it’s encouraging to see a drop in drug overdose deaths, they are still concerned with emerging substances in the Delaware street supply.

“We want to make sure people understand there is still significant danger,” she said. “Medetomidine is an emerging substance that we are seeing more and more in the street drug supply and it is a very dangerous compound not safe for human consumption and it can lead to really serious health consequences.”

Champney attributes the decrease to a variety of factors including narcan distribution, the establishment of DSAMH’s overdose response center and using the overdose response center to get information about emerging substances.

To learn more about Addiction Medical Facility, log onto addictionmedicalfacility.com.