As the director of the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, Joanna Champney is leading the state’s efforts to combat overdose deaths. The state has implemented six strategies to address this issue, including reducing the negative stigma of addiction, increasing screenings for substance use disorders, distributing Narcan across the state, reaching out to people experiencing homelessness, and focusing on funding detox and treatment programs. The ultimate goal is to reduce drug poisoning deaths and overdose deaths in the state to zero with the help of partners working to flatten the curve.
One key component of this strategy is expanding access to harm reduction resources. Unfortunately, the placement of “harm reduction” vending machines in five locations around the state has been delayed from spring to early summer. These vending machines will provide items such as Narcan and fentanyl test strips, which can help prevent overdoses by allowing users to test their drugs before using them.
In addition, DSAMH is working on finding a partner to build a state-funded detox facility for low-income individuals and those on Medicaid in Kent or Sussex County. Currently, uninsured or underinsured individuals must travel long distances to access services at the only state detox facility in New Castle County. This can be a significant barrier for those seeking treatment for substance use disorders.
To continue making progress in addressing the opioid crisis and improving access to life-saving resources for those struggling with substance use disorders, Joanna Champney is seeking approval from state lawmakers for a higher reimbursement rate for Fiscal Year 2025 starting in July. This increase could make it more appealing for providers to consider offering care at a detox facility by providing financial incentives for doing so. With continued efforts from both government agencies and private providers, it may be possible to achieve the goal of reducing drug poisoning deaths and overdose deaths in Delaware entirely.