Four suspected overdose deaths reported over Labor Day weekend

State officials say four people in Sussex County died Labor Day weekend of suspected drug overdoses.

Four were reported in Sussex County and two in New Castle County between Friday, Aug. 30 and Sunday, Sept. 1, according to the Division of Forensic Science. Preliminary data show that first responders in Sussex County – police, fire and EMS – responded to 25 suspected overdose incidents between Aug. 30 and Sept. 2, a substantial increase over a typical four-day period, said Jill Fredel, director of communications for the Department of Health and Social Services.

The five deaths from suspected overdoses on Aug. 30 and 31 brought the monthly total for August to 33 deaths. As of Sept. 3, Fredel said, the Division of Forensic Science has reported a total of 194 suspected overdose deaths in Delaware this year. This compares to 400 overdose deaths In 2018, an increase of 16 percent from the 2017 total of 345 deaths.

“Until the Division of Forensic Science determines the particular chemical make-up of the substances involved in these deaths, it is critical that people be aware of the dangers,” said Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker, a practicing family physician. “Five of these deaths happened at residences, so it’s important that people have naloxone in their homes if they know or suspect their loved one is using opioids. If you see someone overdose, call 9-1-1 immediately, begin rescue breathing and administer naloxone, which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and save the person in distress.”

“Naloxone saves lives,” said Division of Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “We urge anyone who needs access to naloxone to connect with Brandywine Counseling & Community Services, which operates the syringe services program for the Division of Public Health, or go to a participating pharmacy to buy the overdose-reversing medication.” In 2018, first responders administered 3,728 doses of naloxone, compared with 2,861 doses in 2017, a 30 percent increase.

Elizabeth Romero, director of the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, urged individuals in active substance use to see a medical provider immediately, come to a DSAMH Bridge Clinic in Sussex or New Castle counties, or call DHSS’ 24/7 Crisis Services Helpline to be connected to trained crisis professionals who can discuss treatment options.

The Sussex County Bridge Clinic, in the Thurman Adams State Service Center, 546 S. Bedford St., Georgetown, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 302-515-3310. In Kent and Sussex counties, the DSAMH Crisis Helpline number is 1-800-345-6785. 

In 2018, the Division of Forensic Science confirmed the presence of fentanyl in 296 of the 400 total fatal overdoses, a 41 percent increase over 2017. Fentanyl is a synthetic pain reliever that is up to 50 times more potent than heroin. Drug dealers sell fentanyl in a variety of ways, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Dealers sell pure fentanyl in white powder form to users who often assume they are buying heroin; they also lace cocaine or heroin with fentanyl, and they press fentanyl into pills and pass them off as oxycodone.

When users ingest fentanyl or a drug laced with fentanyl, it affects their central nervous system and brain. Because it is such a powerful opioid, users often have trouble breathing or can stop breathing as the drug sedates them.