Delaware Health and Social Services Delaware Grantmakers Association: October 7, 2015 Rita Landgraf,...

Delaware Health and Social Services

Delaware Grantmakers Association: October 7, 2015Rita Landgraf, Secretary, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services

Responding to Delaware’s Addiction Epidemic


THE ADDICTION CHALLENGEDelaware’s Public Health Epidemic Doesn’t Discriminate


The Scope of the Epidemic• In 2014, 185 suspected overdose

deaths in Delaware, about one every other day. Through July 2015, more than 110 suspected overdose deaths.

• Age range: From age 15 to 87.• Average person who died of a suspected

overdose: A 42-year-old white male from suburban New Castle County.

• Substances involved: alcohol, prescription drugs, heroin, cocaine and others; often in combination.


The Explosion of Heroin• State’s tightening of access to

prescription drugs, raised the on-the-street cost of pills.

• 1 Oxycodone pill = $20-$30; hit of heroin = $5-$10.

• In 2013-15, heroin overdose deaths rising dramatically.

• Police seizures almost tripled in 2013 from 2012.

• Admissions for public treatment have more than doubled.


Alcohol Usage Among TeensIn 2014, the UD Center for Drug & Alcohol Studies found among Delaware 11th-graders:

• 31% reported using alcohol in past month.

• 57% used it in past year.• 65% used it in their lifetimes.

Among Delaware 8th-graders:• 13% reported past-month use of alcohol.• 26% had used in past year.• 34% in their lifetimes.


The Treatment Landscape• 9,897 adults sought public

treatment for addiction in 2014. About 3 in 10 listed heroin as their primary drug at time of admission.

• Thousands more sought private treatment, in-state or out-of-state.

• Only an estimated 10.4% of Americans who need treatment seek it.

• Beyond demand, Delaware system was fragmented and not responsive to individual needs. Individuals faced gaps in services and supports.


THE STATE’S RESPONSEFight Addiction by Focusing on Three Fronts


Addiction: Focus on 3 FrontsFighting drug use and addiction is complex and requires work across government departments and along 3 fronts:• Prevention/Education• Criminal Justice/Law

Enforcement • Treatment/Recovery


Treatment and Recovery• During a public health epidemic, must

increase resources.• Building capacity statewide for withdrawal

management, out-patient treatment, residential treatment & sober living.

• At same time, reforming the system to meet people where they are and when they are ready for treatment, including 24/7 Crisis Services. Treatment must ebb and flow with individual’s needs.

• Care based on the individual, not one-size-fits-all.


New State Funding for FY16for Substance Usage Disorder

Withdrawal Management* $ 750,000

Sober Living Residential Programs $ 935,000

Young Adult Residential Treatment/Opiate $1.15M

Residential Treatment $ 800,000

Subtotal $3,635M

One-Time Funds $ 815,000

Total $4.45M

*Additional $950.0 structurally transferred to DSAMH for Withdrawal Management from the Office of Management & Budget


HelpIsHereDE.com• One-stop for

prevention, treatment, recovery information.

• Launched in October 2014.

• 100,00 page views in first 9 months; adding prevention and provider info

Sections: “I Am Here for Me,” “I Am Here for Someone I Know,” Medical Providers, Community, Resources


Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement• DOC Commissioner Robert Coupe

says 60% of those incarcerated impacted by addiction.

• Department of Correction redesigning Crest and Key programs, which are 25 years old.

• Northern NCCo part of Philadelphia/Camden High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, with new money for law enforcement and public health analyst to work together.


Prevention and Education• Beginning in 2015-16 school year,

all high school students must receive 15 hours of drug and alcohol prevention education before graduation.

• Red Clay already using Smart Moves, Smart Choices curriculum.

• Prescription Drug Action Committee working across the spectrum.

• Permanent 24/7 Drug Take-Back collection containers now at 8 police stations statewide.


Prevention Campaign

• Prevent underage drinking (aimed at students age 12-20 and influencers – parents, guardians and other adults). Info: DrinkingHurtsThinking.com

• Prevent binge drinking (aimed at youth age 12-25, with emphasis on college-age young people). Info and online assessment: AmIABingeDrinker.com


Naloxone and Good Samaritan• In 2014, Gov. Markell signed 2

bills providing for wider use of naloxone, the overdose-reversing drug.

• Greater community use & voluntary use by police agencies.

• April 2015 resolution: Voluntary use by school nurses.

• Good Samaritan/911 Law

Delaware Health and Social Services Delaware Grantmakers Association: October 7, 2015 Rita Landgraf,...

Documents

Transcript of Delaware Health and Social Services Delaware Grantmakers Association: October 7, 2015 Rita Landgraf,...