On Friday, the New Castle County Police reported that they had responded to five drug overdoses and six deaths, believed to be drug-related, in just three days last week.
“New Castle – Since last Wednesday, Oct 10, the New Castle County Division of Police has responded to five drug overdoses and six death investigations believed to be drug-related throughout New Castle County.
Although these are active investigations and the causes of death are pending further testing by the Division of Forensic Science, they do not appear to be related to each other at this time.
We would like to remind the public that if you or someone you know has an opioid or any other substance abuse addiction, please contact us for help.
Individuals can apply to our Hero Help Program, which can provide immediate access to treatment and services to assist on the road to recovery, even for those without insurance. Citizens can call (302)395-8050 or come to the Corporal Paul J. Sweeney Public Safety Building at 3601 N. DuPont Highway New Castle, Del. 19720 to request further information and inquire about eligibility.”
The number of incidents that the County Police responded to may not show the whole picture. Other police agencies and first responders have likely responded to multiple incidents in this same time frame.
First responders across New Castle County and throughout the state are called to overdose calls just about every day. Many of these calls originate when a stranger, a passerby or a family member find someone passed out in a public bathroom, behind a dumpster, in a field or slumped over the wheel of a car or after they have crashed into a home.
In many of those incidents, the patient is revived when first responders administer the overdose-reversing drug NARCAN, however, many of these calls for service will end with the death of the patient.
The Department of Delaware Health and Social Services is currently reporting 226 suspected overdose deaths in Delaware for 2018.