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Delaware Drug Statistics and Resources

Individuals in Delaware seeking help for a drug or alcohol addiction can find a host of available programs and treatments. These facilities help address rising drug and alcohol usage rates throughout the state, with available services that include medical detox, crisis intervention, residential treatment, graduated levels of outpatient treatment, and aftercare support. In addition to government-sponsored programs and non-profit organizations, clients can also find targeted addiction treatment solutions that cater to specific populations including college students and veterans. 

Drug Statistics in Delaware

537 Overdose Deaths
The suspected drug overdose death rate in Delaware increased by an average of 18% per month from November 2022 to January 2023. In 2023, there were 537 reported overdose deaths.
466 Annual Alcohol Deaths
An average of 466 deaths occur in Delaware every year due to excessive alcohol use, resulting in the loss of 12,543 years of potential life for state residents.
Binge Drinking
An estimated 18.3% of Delaware adults over the age of 18 engage in binge drinking at least one time per month and the median number of drinks per binge is 5.3.
Rate of Teen Drug Use
Around 9.9% of children ages 12 to 17 in Delaware report using illicit drugs, including marijuana, within the past 30 days. This is higher than the nationwide average of 8.4%.
3x Increase in Drug Deaths
Drug overdose deaths in Delaware increased from 17.6 per 100,000 in 2011 to 54 per 100,000 in 2021. That year, there were a total of 450 deaths related to opioid overdose, accounting for 88% of all overdose-related deaths across the state.

Addiction Nonprofits in Delaware

Delaware Goes Purple

An initiative of the United Way of Delaware, this program provides awareness and advocacy around the opioid epidemic throughout the state. They provide addiction education, outreach services, and connections to community events including Narcan training.

atTAck Addiction

This organization helps adolescents and adults in addiction recovery find support services throughout the state. In addition to providing connections to crisis hotlines, peer-based recovery meetings, and other treatment providers, they also operate two gender-specific residential treatment facilities. Here, clients can receive services that include case management, career counseling, and access to 12 step programming.

Delaware 211

This is a free, confidential number that Delaware residents can call or text to receive immediate support for a range of needs including medical care, food assistance, legal help, and more. Call center specialists can help individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) find local providers who specialize in detoxification, inpatient treatment, outpatient support groups, sober living houses, and similar services. 

Harm Reduction Programs

Brandywine Counseling and Community Services (BCCS)

This organization operates multiple locations around Delaware, offering harm reduction services and supplies at each site. This includes a syringe services program (SSP) that provides individuals with Narcan kits, wound care kits, and fentanyl testing strips, as well as access to HIV and Hepatitis C testing services. In addition to providing prevention and early intervention items, each BCCS treatment center also provides outpatient recovery support services.

Help Is Here Delaware

Provided by the Delaware Division of Public Health, this group shares information on addiction recovery and mental health services throughout the state. This includes connecting individuals to harm reduction programs such as mail-based or pharmacy-provided Narcan services, fentanyl testing, and SSPs. They can also make referrals to outside treatment providers as required.

NEXT Distro

The Delaware branch of NEXT Distro helps individuals access harm-reduction supplies to reduce the risk of opioid overdose. Their services include free naloxone and fentanyl testing strips delivered by mail, as well as overdose prevention education and linkages to crisis hotlines across the state.

Government Grants & Resources

Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS): Substance Abuse

Individuals in Delaware seeking help for a SUD can contact the DHSS for recovery support services. This department offers connections to psychiatrists, addiction treatment providers, and crisis intervention specialists. They also offer Treatment Access Centers (TACs) to help clients facing drug-related charges participate in drug and alcohol treatment services through the state’s Superior Court Drug Court.

Hero Help Addiction Assistance

A collaboration between the Delaware Department of Justice and the Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH), this program provides addiction recovery support to two general populations: individuals who contact law enforcement officers and personally ask for help and those who have been arrested for minor, drug-related offenses and choose to participate in treatment instead. Providers perform clinical assessments and develop individualized care plans for each client.

State Opioid Response (SOR) Grant

Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), this grant helps the DSAMH operate the state’s Opioid Response Team (ORT). The ORT provides leadership and strategic oversight for all opioid-focused addiction treatment programs offered through the Division. The goals of the grant are to decrease statewide opioid overdoses, help high-risk populations identify and connect with treatments, and enhance existing services for clients already undergoing treatment.

College Addiction Resources

University of Delaware: Collegiate Recovery Community

This program allows students in addiction recovery to form peer connections and engage in substance-free socialization activities. Students can contact the department to discuss their issues with alcohol and drug addiction and set goals for recovery. While the community does not offer treatments or counseling, they can refer students to local healthcare providers who do offer these services.

Wilmington University: Mental Health Support Services

Students at Wilmington University can visit the Office of Student Concerns to receive comprehensive mental health support services. A team of multi-disciplinary providers can provide initial screenings and referrals to community-based addiction treatment clinics, hotlines, crisis intervention programs, counseling services, and psychiatric hospitals.

Delaware State University: Counseling Services

Counselors at Delaware State University’s Campus Health Services can provide an array of programs to help students overcome mental and behavioral health conditions, including drug and alcohol addictions. They offer individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, addiction education, personal development workshops, peer-based support groups, and referrals to community-based providers as needed.

LGBTQ+ Resources

Transitions Delaware

This organization provides individual and family counseling, consultations, and personalized training services for members of the LGBTQ+ community in Delaware. Sessions incorporate a range of treatment modalities and therapeutic approaches, including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), trauma-conscious yoga, mindfulness, and similar services.

ACLU Delaware

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) works to ensure that the rights of all individuals are upheld in different public policy areas including education, free speech, criminal justice, and more. This includes rallying against discrimination of any kind, specifically instances that limit the ability of LGBTQ+ individuals to receive equitable access to physical and mental health care services.

NAMI Delaware: LGBTQ and Mental Health

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides mental health services for individuals across Delaware, including specialized support for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Individuals can access their website to find peer-based discussion groups and links to affirming health care and psychiatric providers across the state and nationwide.

Veterans Programs

Wilmington VA Medical Center

The VA Medical Center in Wilmington offers IOP and general outpatient (OP) addiction treatment programs for veterans, members of the military, and their families. Available services include individual and group counseling, medication management, and related resources.

Delaware Office of Veterans Services

This department helps military members, veterans, and their families find assistance and support in the areas of healthcare, compensation and pension, career counseling, education, employment, housing, and more. Individuals can access their website to connect with a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) who can help them find the appropriate resources. Veterans in addiction recovery can work with a VSO to identify local providers specializing in behavioral health and wellness services, including SUD treatment.

Indigenous & Tribal Programs

Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware

Primarily located in central Kent County, the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware offers several programs designed to enhance the lives of tribal members, including educational, cultural, and social offerings. Individuals in this community can contact the center to connect with sensitive providers and find other resources.

Drug Laws in Delaware

Substance Abuse Treatment Act

In Delaware, individuals who believe that someone might need help for an addiction can file an official request to have that person involuntarily admitted to a SUD treatment program. This may be a residential or outpatient provider based on the client’s needs. To be valid, this request must be accompanied by a statement from a licensed physician verifying that the client mentioned on the request form needs treatment but cannot or will not agree to it.

Delaware Good Samaritan Act

Signed in 2023, Delaware Senate Bill 116 permits individuals who seek emergency medical assistance during a suspected overdose to be exempt from certain drug-related charges. These charges include underage drinking, possession of controlled substances or paraphernalia, and other minor drug crimes. This law does not apply to individuals charged with Class A, B, or C felonies.

Naloxone Standing Order

Under this law, anyone who is at risk of a drug overdose or knows someone in that position and can assist can receive naloxone from a licensed pharmacy, even if they don’t have a prescription. If these individuals cannot access the addiction medication in person, they can request mail-in services through the Delaware Division of Public Health.

Marijuana Control Act

Adults over the age of 21 can legally possess and consume up to one ounce of recreational marijuana for personal use but are prohibited from growing marijuana. Those found in possession of this amount will face a $100 civil penalty. Individuals who possess more than one ounce of the substance may face up to three months in prison and fines of up to $575. If an aggravating factor is present, the penalties can extend to a maximum of six months in jail and up to $1,150 in fines.

Sources

Where do calls go?

Calls to any general helpline will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed, each of which is a paid advertiser: Rehab Media Group, Recovery Helpline, Alli Addiction Services.

By calling the helpline you agree to the terms of use. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. There is no obligation to enter treatment.