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DOVER, DE (DEC. 11, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Well being and Social Companies’ (DHSS) Division of Public Well being (DPH) introduced Friday that Delawareans fighting habit can now order free naloxone by mail. Rising entry to naloxone is important to stopping overdose deaths as extra individuals are fighting nervousness, melancholy, and monetary stress stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Receiving in-person help and therapy is more difficult on account of social distancing, which prevents assembly at in-person help teams.
Mail-order naloxone is accessible by means of a Memorandum of Understanding between DHSS and the New York-based harm-reduction nonprofit NEXT Distro. NEXT Distro operates in 35 states and has distributed free naloxone to 16,000 households in the US since 2018. The life-saving remedy, additionally identified by its model title Narcan, can reverse opioid drug overdoses by restoring somebody’s respiratory that has grow to be suppressed from an overdose.
“DPH’s settlement with NEXT Distro couldn’t come at a greater time,” mentioned DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “Delaware is experiencing a simultaneous improve in COVID-19 instances and drug overdose deaths. Those that want naloxone probably the most can now order it privately and conveniently, avoiding any stigma that could possibly be a barrier to accessing the life-saving remedy. Holding exterior distribution occasions can be changing into tougher due to the chilly climate, making this an excellent choice to get naloxone within the arms of those that want it probably the most.”
A complete of 316 suspected overdose deaths have occurred by means of early December this 12 months in Delaware, which is greater than the variety of suspected overdose deaths for a similar interval in 2019, in line with preliminary knowledge from the Delaware Division of Forensic Science (DFS). Since overdose deaths sometimes spike in December, that quantity is predicted to develop. In 2019, 431 folks died from drug overdoses in Delaware, in line with DFS.
“We all know that the COVID-19 pandemic is troublesome for all of us mentally and emotionally, however none extra so than Delawareans fighting habit, psychological sickness or each,” mentioned DHSS Secretary Molly Magarik. “As a result of the vacations can add to that current stress degree and could also be a set off level for folks with substance use dysfunction, this new initiative is coming at a very important time. Households in our state can greatest assist their struggling family members by ordering naloxone and connecting them to therapy.”
In keeping with the Delaware Overdose Fatality Fee 2018 Annual Report, 79 % of the overdoses studied occurred in a residence, and naloxone was not obtainable 93 % of the time. By way of a statewide marketing campaign that launches in January, DPH’s Workplace of Well being Disaster Response (OHCR) reminds those who with Narcan they’ve “The Energy to Save a Life.” The marketing campaign encourages Delawareans to save lots of lives by having Narcan obtainable and to obtain the free OpiRescue DE app on their Apple or Android smartphones for step-by-step directions on its use. Delawareans will quickly see and listen to advertisements on the radio, in bus shelters, on social media, and on gaming apps.
“Because the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, so does the opioid epidemic,” mentioned Lt. Governor Bethany Corridor-Lengthy. “Placing naloxone instantly into the arms of Delawareans is one other device for households, pals and employers to assist those that are battling substance use dysfunction. Delivering it to their entrance door will save lives. No query. Thanks to the companions who’re making this occur.”
Delawareans who wish to place a mail order for naloxone ought to go to the “Overdose Prevention” web page on HelpIsHereDE.com and entry NEXT Distro’s Delaware program. Prospects should watch a video, take a brief quiz, and full a request type. DPH will obtain the request from NEXT Distro’s digital platform and can mail people free naloxone. Folks will obtain their naloxone inside a couple of days. All contact data will likely be stored confidential.
Delawareans can nonetheless acquire Narcan or naloxone with out a prescription at pharmacies, and Narcan at overdose prevention trainings and naloxone distribution occasions. Since January 2020, group companions hosted 80 such occasions, 62 of which had been held car-side after COVID-19 emerged as a well being disaster within the spring. In the course of the first three quarters of 2020, OHCR’s Neighborhood-based Naloxone Entry program distributed 6,263 naloxone kits by means of its group companions, together with Neighborhood Response Groups in every county.
For extra details about mail-order naloxone, Narcan, OpiRescue DE, or digital assets designed to assist these fighting habit, go to HelpIsHereDE.com.
The web site gives data on digital help teams, a searchable real-time database on therapy choices and availability, and free counseling through the 24/7 Delaware Hope Line. HelpIsHereDe.com additionally offers instructions for the disposal of unused prescriptions and a listing of 28 prescription drop containers obtainable all through the state. Guests also can discover prevention data together with Narcan and the OpiRescue DE app. A HelpisHereDE.com consciousness marketing campaign started this month and can run all year long on billboards, radio, and social media; in bus shelters; and at 39 grocery shops and pharmacies statewide.
Throughout habit or psychological well being emergencies, name DHSS’ 24/7 Delaware Hope Line at 1-833-9-HOPEDE. For an in-depth examine of overdose deaths in Delaware for 2017, learn DPH’s Drug Overdose Mortality Surveillance Report.
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An individual who’s deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can name the DPH telephone quantity above through the use of TTY companies. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to kind your dialog to a relay operator, who reads your dialog to a listening to particular person at DPH. The relay operator sorts the listening to particular person’s spoken phrases again to the TTY consumer. To be taught extra about TTY availability in Delaware, go to http://delawarerelay.com.
Delaware’s Division of Well being and Social Companies is dedicated to enhancing the standard of the lives of Delaware’s residents by selling well being and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and defending susceptible populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make more healthy selections with the 5-2-1 Virtually None marketing campaign: eat 5 or extra vegetables and fruit every day, have not more than 2 hours of leisure display time every day (contains TV, pc, gaming), get 1 or extra hours of bodily exercise every day, drink virtually no sugary drinks.
Associated Subjects: Delaware Division of Public Health, drug overdose, Naloxone, narcan, public health

Maintain updated by receiving a day by day digest e-mail, round midday, of present information launch posts from state businesses on information.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future information updates.

DOVER, DE (DEC. 11, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Well being and Social Companies’ (DHSS) Division of Public Well being (DPH) introduced Friday that Delawareans fighting habit can now order free naloxone by mail. Rising entry to naloxone is important to stopping overdose deaths as extra individuals are fighting nervousness, melancholy, and monetary stress stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Receiving in-person help and therapy is more difficult on account of social distancing, which prevents assembly at in-person help teams.
Mail-order naloxone is accessible by means of a Memorandum of Understanding between DHSS and the New York-based harm-reduction nonprofit NEXT Distro. NEXT Distro operates in 35 states and has distributed free naloxone to 16,000 households in the US since 2018. The life-saving remedy, additionally identified by its model title Narcan, can reverse opioid drug overdoses by restoring somebody’s respiratory that has grow to be suppressed from an overdose.
“DPH’s settlement with NEXT Distro couldn’t come at a greater time,” mentioned DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “Delaware is experiencing a simultaneous improve in COVID-19 instances and drug overdose deaths. Those that want naloxone probably the most can now order it privately and conveniently, avoiding any stigma that could possibly be a barrier to accessing the life-saving remedy. Holding exterior distribution occasions can be changing into tougher due to the chilly climate, making this an excellent choice to get naloxone within the arms of those that want it probably the most.”
A complete of 316 suspected overdose deaths have occurred by means of early December this 12 months in Delaware, which is greater than the variety of suspected overdose deaths for a similar interval in 2019, in line with preliminary knowledge from the Delaware Division of Forensic Science (DFS). Since overdose deaths sometimes spike in December, that quantity is predicted to develop. In 2019, 431 folks died from drug overdoses in Delaware, in line with DFS.
“We all know that the COVID-19 pandemic is troublesome for all of us mentally and emotionally, however none extra so than Delawareans fighting habit, psychological sickness or each,” mentioned DHSS Secretary Molly Magarik. “As a result of the vacations can add to that current stress degree and could also be a set off level for folks with substance use dysfunction, this new initiative is coming at a very important time. Households in our state can greatest assist their struggling family members by ordering naloxone and connecting them to therapy.”
In keeping with the Delaware Overdose Fatality Fee 2018 Annual Report, 79 % of the overdoses studied occurred in a residence, and naloxone was not obtainable 93 % of the time. By way of a statewide marketing campaign that launches in January, DPH’s Workplace of Well being Disaster Response (OHCR) reminds those who with Narcan they’ve “The Energy to Save a Life.” The marketing campaign encourages Delawareans to save lots of lives by having Narcan obtainable and to obtain the free OpiRescue DE app on their Apple or Android smartphones for step-by-step directions on its use. Delawareans will quickly see and listen to advertisements on the radio, in bus shelters, on social media, and on gaming apps.
“Because the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, so does the opioid epidemic,” mentioned Lt. Governor Bethany Corridor-Lengthy. “Placing naloxone instantly into the arms of Delawareans is one other device for households, pals and employers to assist those that are battling substance use dysfunction. Delivering it to their entrance door will save lives. No query. Thanks to the companions who’re making this occur.”
Delawareans who wish to place a mail order for naloxone ought to go to the “Overdose Prevention” web page on HelpIsHereDE.com and entry NEXT Distro’s Delaware program. Prospects should watch a video, take a brief quiz, and full a request type. DPH will obtain the request from NEXT Distro’s digital platform and can mail people free naloxone. Folks will obtain their naloxone inside a couple of days. All contact data will likely be stored confidential.
Delawareans can nonetheless acquire Narcan or naloxone with out a prescription at pharmacies, and Narcan at overdose prevention trainings and naloxone distribution occasions. Since January 2020, group companions hosted 80 such occasions, 62 of which had been held car-side after COVID-19 emerged as a well being disaster within the spring. In the course of the first three quarters of 2020, OHCR’s Neighborhood-based Naloxone Entry program distributed 6,263 naloxone kits by means of its group companions, together with Neighborhood Response Groups in every county.
For extra details about mail-order naloxone, Narcan, OpiRescue DE, or digital assets designed to assist these fighting habit, go to HelpIsHereDE.com.
The web site gives data on digital help teams, a searchable real-time database on therapy choices and availability, and free counseling through the 24/7 Delaware Hope Line. HelpIsHereDe.com additionally offers instructions for the disposal of unused prescriptions and a listing of 28 prescription drop containers obtainable all through the state. Guests also can discover prevention data together with Narcan and the OpiRescue DE app. A HelpisHereDE.com consciousness marketing campaign started this month and can run all year long on billboards, radio, and social media; in bus shelters; and at 39 grocery shops and pharmacies statewide.
Throughout habit or psychological well being emergencies, name DHSS’ 24/7 Delaware Hope Line at 1-833-9-HOPEDE. For an in-depth examine of overdose deaths in Delaware for 2017, learn DPH’s Drug Overdose Mortality Surveillance Report.
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An individual who’s deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can name the DPH telephone quantity above through the use of TTY companies. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to kind your dialog to a relay operator, who reads your dialog to a listening to particular person at DPH. The relay operator sorts the listening to particular person’s spoken phrases again to the TTY consumer. To be taught extra about TTY availability in Delaware, go to http://delawarerelay.com.
Delaware’s Division of Well being and Social Companies is dedicated to enhancing the standard of the lives of Delaware’s residents by selling well being and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and defending susceptible populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make more healthy selections with the 5-2-1 Virtually None marketing campaign: eat 5 or extra vegetables and fruit every day, have not more than 2 hours of leisure display time every day (contains TV, pc, gaming), get 1 or extra hours of bodily exercise every day, drink virtually no sugary drinks.
Associated Subjects: Delaware Division of Public Health, drug overdose, Naloxone, narcan, public health

Maintain updated by receiving a day by day digest e-mail, round midday, of present information launch posts from state businesses on information.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future information updates.