State Health Department warns of heroin overdoses
The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services is warning people in active substance use that two people have died from overdoses in a 24-hour period involving heroin packets with the same stamp.
The department is not identifying the stamp so people will not seek out the drugs.
Secretary Karen Walker said, “If you are in active use, we urge you to seek treatment immediately. Call DHSS’ 24/7 Crisis Hotline or seek help at the nearest police department, hospital or medical provider. If you continue to use substances, have the overdose-reversing medication naloxone with you because the risk for death is increased. Our first priority is to reduce harm and to save your life or the lives of others.”
There have been 106 deaths from suspected overdoses in Delaware through May 27, including three since May 25, according to preliminary reports from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Division of Forensic Science. The two deaths involving the same stamp occurred May 24 and May 25.
According to the Health Department, of the 106 total deaths for 2018, 71 have been in New Castle County, 22 in Sussex County and 13 in Kent County. The youngest person who died was 19; the oldest, 74.
Elizabeth Romero, director of DHSS’ Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, encouraged individuals in Delaware to call 911 if they believe someone is overdosing. Under Delaware’s 911/Good Samaritan Law, people who call 911 to report an overdose and the person in medical distress cannot be arrested for low-level drug crimes.
“When someone overdoses from an opioid, naloxone must be administered within minutes,” Romero said. “That’s why it’s so important for people to call 911 immediately. We also urge people to have naloxone on hand if they have a loved one suffering from addiction. Naloxone saves lives.”
The department of health says that if a user has ingested fentanyl or a drug laced with fentanyl, time is critical because the powerful opioid quickly affects the central nervous system and the brain. Sedated by the drug, users have trouble breathing or can stop breathing. If someone is too drowsy to answer questions, is having difficulty breathing, or appears to be so asleep they cannot be awakened, call 911 immediately and administer naloxone.
Naloxone is an overdose-reversing medication carried by users, paramedics and some police officers. It can be administered in overdoses involving fentanyl, which is more potent than heroin or opioid painkillers. Multiple doses of naloxone may be required to reverse a fentanyl overdose.
In 2017, there were 345 deaths from overdoses, a 12 percent increase from 308 in 2016, according to the state’s Division of Forensic Science. Of the 345 overdoses in 2017, 210 involved fentanyl, almost double the number of fentanyl deaths in 2016.
The Department of Health and Social Services crisis services hotline is 1-800-345-6785 in Kent and Sussex counties.
By calling DHSS’ 24/7 Crisis Services Hotline, individuals in active use or their loved ones will be connected to trained crisis professionals who can discuss treatment options. In Kent and Sussex counties, the number is 1-800-345-6785. Information can also be found at www.HelpIsHereDE.com for a list of addiction treatment and recovery services in Delaware or nearby states.
