Delaware Funding Priorities

Overdose prevention funding - Delaware

There were 107,968 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2022 (34.6 deaths per 100,000 standard population), a 1.2% increase from 2021.1

• There were 549 overdose deaths in Delaware in 20222
• There were 55.3 overdose deaths per 100,000 people (age-adjusted) in Delaware in 20222

Overdose prevention programs

• Overdose Data to Action in States
  • Delaware Department of Health and Social Services/Division of Public Health: $3,327,587

• Public Health and Public Safety
  • Overdose Response Strategy: $87,600*

*average award amount

Examples of how Delaware is working to prevent overdose

Law enforcement naloxone program

As part of the state's Overdose Response Strategy (ORS) program, the Delaware Division of Public Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services, and the Delaware Public Health Association engaged leadership from every law enforcement agency across the state to increase and formalize their participation in the First Responder Naloxone Leave-Behind Program. As a result, 15 of Delaware's 47 police departments are currently engaged in the program. The ORS Team continues to conduct outreach to increase program participation and assist agencies in obtaining additional naloxone kits and trainings.

Cross-industry employer awareness programs

Delaware developed programs to address the high number of substance use disorders and opioid overdose deaths among construction and restaurant-related industries. The state conducted industry outreach to raise employer awareness and created a support network that destigmatizes addiction and helps workers struggling with substance use disorders get help.

Pain management provider toolkit

To help reduce opioid over-prescribing, Delaware expanded education for providers on the Non-Opioid Pain Management Toolkit. Pain management experts helped inform the toolkit, which contains resources for providers to better understand the scope of the drug-related crisis. It includes materials for providers and patients, such as alternative pain-management factsheets and pain-management booklets.