Read the latest news on coronavirus in Delaware. More Info
Flag Lowering for the Victims at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas Date Posted: May 24, 2022
Governor Carney Activates Emergency Management Assistance Compact to Support Emergency Response to Barge Fire Date Posted: May 24, 2022
Governor Carney Vetoes House Bill 371 Date Posted: May 24, 2022
Crews Work to Contain Fire on Barge in Delaware Bay Date Posted: May 23, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: East of the Mason-Dixon Line by Roger E. Nathan Date Posted: May 23, 2022
DPH Encourages Delawareans To Consider Masking In Public Amid Rising Covid-19 Cases Date Posted: May 21, 2022
2021 U.S. Road Fatalities Projected Highest in 16 Years, Delaware at 15-year High Date Posted: May 20, 2022
DHSS to Partner with Habitat for Humanity on Pilot Program for Minor Home Repairs for Older Delawareans Date Posted: May 19, 2022
Click It or Ticket Campaign Reminds Drivers: Buckle Up Every Trip, Every Time Date Posted: May 19, 2022
Public Encouraged to Avoid ‘Rescuing’ Young Wildlife Date Posted: May 19, 2022
Nonprofit Security Grant Applications Due June 1, 2022 Date Posted: May 17, 2022
Delaware’s Plastic Carryout Bag Ban July 1, 2022 Date Posted: May 17, 2022
DPH Offers Guidance And Resources On How To Navigate The Infant Formula Supply Shortage Date Posted: May 17, 2022
DNREC Names Two to Leadership Roles Date Posted: May 17, 2022
Governor Carney Honors Four Century Farm Families, 2022 Marks 35th Year of Delaware Century Farm Program Date Posted: May 16, 2022
Governor Carney Tests Positive for COVID-19 Date Posted: May 16, 2022
Holodick Names Top High School Seniors 2022 Secretary Scholars Date Posted: May 16, 2022
With Delaware Bay Beach Nourishment Projects Complete, DNREC Now Works Toward Restoring Atlantic Coastline Date Posted: May 16, 2022
DE Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Captain Thomas Macdonough Date Posted: May 16, 2022
School Behavioral Health Professionals Honored Date Posted: May 16, 2022
‘The Wooden World Revealed’ at Lewes’ Zwaanendael Museum Date Posted: May 13, 2022
Concord Pond to Be Treated for Invasive Aquatic Weed Hydrilla Date Posted: May 13, 2022
DNREC To Update Vehicle Emission Testing Requirements Date Posted: May 13, 2022
Dr. Karyl Rattay Announces Departure From Delaware Division Of Public Health Effective June 30, 2022 Date Posted: May 13, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: May 13, 2022
Delaware Extends Electric Vehicle Rebate Program Date Posted: May 12, 2022
High Path Avian Influenza Confirmed In Black Vultures, Poultry Producers Encouraged To Take Precautions Date Posted: May 11, 2022
Governor Carney Signs Paid Family Leave Legislation Date Posted: May 11, 2022
Tonieboxes Now Available for Children at Delaware Libraries Date Posted: May 11, 2022
McGuiness’s National COVID-19 Data Quality Audit Template Shapes Public Emergency Response Efforts Countrywide Date Posted: May 10, 2022
DNREC, Delaware Center for the Inland Bays To Host Water Family Fest Saturday, May 14 Date Posted: May 10, 2022
ICYMI: Dolly Parton in Delaware for the Imagination Library Statewide Celebration Date Posted: May 9, 2022
DPH Diabetes & Heart Disease Prevention & Control Program Sponsors 20th Annual Diabetes Wellness Expo Date Posted: May 9, 2022
Heritage Commission’s Book of the Week: Allen McLane – Patriot, Solider, Spy, Port Collector Date Posted: May 9, 2022
US Wind and Ørsted Conducting Offshore Wind Research Date Posted: May 9, 2022
Gov. Carney Celebrates 150th Arbor Day in Rehoboth Beach Date Posted: May 6, 2022
Division of Small Business Launches Innovative New Website Service Designed to Support Delaware’s Small Businesses Date Posted: May 6, 2022
DNREC, DEMA Sponsor Delaware Flood Awareness Week Date Posted: May 6, 2022
Delaware Changes Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Recreational Fishing Regulations Date Posted: May 5, 2022
DHSS Releases Second Annual Health Care Benchmark Trend Report Date Posted: May 5, 2022
Drivers Needed for DART’s Upcoming Beach Bus Season Date Posted: May 5, 2022
DHSS Launches State Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program Date Posted: May 5, 2022
DTI Announces New Chief Of Administration And Broadband Manager Date Posted: May 5, 2022
DNREC’s Monitoring Shows Overall Good Air Quality in Delaware Date Posted: May 4, 2022
Columbus Organization Will Continue to Connect Individuals to Services, Supports Date Posted: May 4, 2022
May Is Viral Hepatitis Awareness Month; May 19 Hepatitis Testing Day Date Posted: May 4, 2022
Governor Carney Proclaims May 2022 as Trauma Awareness Month Date Posted: May 4, 2022
Attorney General Jennings Announces $141 Million TurboTax Settlement Date Posted: May 4, 2022
Natural World On Display At Buena Vista On May 14, 2022 Date Posted: May 4, 2022
DNREC’s A-Street Ditch PCB Cleanup Pilot: Two Years in, Results Show Continued Gains Against Pollutants Date Posted: May 3, 2022
Dept of Labor Teams Up with Community Partners to Offer Job Seekers Career Support Date Posted: May 3, 2022
DCRPT Secures Prison Sentence in Sussex County Hate Crime Date Posted: May 3, 2022
DNREC Urges Clean Alternatives to Burning Yard Waste Date Posted: May 2, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Public Service Recognition Week, May 1-7 Date Posted: May 2, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week – Democracy in Delaware: The Story of the First State’s General Assembly Date Posted: May 2, 2022
Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long to Hold COVID-19 Remembrance Memorial Ceremony in Dover Date Posted: April 29, 2022
State Auditor Kathy McGuiness Releases Report Announcing Delaware Erases Rape Kit Backlog Date Posted: April 28, 2022
Charter School of Wilmington Wins Championship in 2022 Delaware Envirothon Date Posted: April 28, 2022
Delaware Students Awarded Full-ride Merit Scholarships Date Posted: April 28, 2022
Governor Carney Formally Extends Public Health Emergency Date Posted: April 28, 2022
Delaware’s First State Food System Program Accepting Applications Date Posted: April 28, 2022
The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit “Characters” by Gail Husch Date Posted: April 28, 2022
Groundbreaking Global Supplier Diversity Initiative Launched Date Posted: April 27, 2022
Champion Crowned in 2022 Delaware Junior Solar Sprint Date Posted: April 27, 2022
Delaware Deer Harvest Announced for 2021/22 Hunting Season Date Posted: April 27, 2022
Governor Carney, Lt. Governor Hall-Long, DSCYF Announce $16 Million Investment for Vulnerable Delawareans Date Posted: April 26, 2022
DPH Announces 22nd DEA National Prescription Drug Take-back Day For Delaware Date Posted: April 26, 2022
DEMA Encourages Nonprofits To Prepare For Grant Opportunity Date Posted: April 26, 2022
Delaware Will Issue Monthly Emergency Benefits On April 28 Date Posted: April 26, 2022
Delaware Emitirá Beneficios de Emergencia Mensuales el 28 de Abril Date Posted: April 26, 2022
13 Young People, 4 Emerging Leaders, 2 Groups to Be Honored with Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Award Date Posted: April 25, 2022
Create a Safer Ride During Motorcycle Awareness Month Date Posted: April 25, 2022
Department of Correction to Present “Insider Series” Webinar On Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Date Posted: April 25, 2022
DOJ, Community Partners, Amazon to Host Expungement and Employment fair April 28 Date Posted: April 25, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Delaware During the Civil War: A Political History Date Posted: April 25, 2022
DNREC to Offer Training For Volunteer Beach-nesting Bird Monitors Date Posted: April 25, 2022
DPH Reports Increase In Covid-19 Cases, Hospitalizations; Rates Remain Low Compared To Winter Surge Date Posted: April 22, 2022
Secretary of State Jeff Bullock Announces Leadership Changes Date Posted: April 22, 2022
DOJ Releases March Violent Crime Prosecution Recap Date Posted: April 22, 2022
Delaware State Housing Authority Extends The Length Of Rental Assistance Available Date Posted: April 21, 2022
Delaware Office of Highway Safety Kicks Off Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month Date Posted: April 21, 2022
DNREC Announces Aquatic Resources Education Center’s Second Annual Photography Contest Date Posted: April 21, 2022
Students Win Contest for Earth Day Videos Date Posted: April 20, 2022
Nominations Open for 2022 Young Environmentalist Awards Date Posted: April 19, 2022
FREE 2022 Delaware Building Bridges Virtual Conference Date Posted: April 19, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Staff Changes Date Posted: April 19, 2022
Historical and Cultural Affairs programs in May 2022 Date Posted: April 18, 2022
DNREC Volunteer Awards, Tree for Every Delawarean Planting Kick Off Earth Week at Brandywine Park Date Posted: April 18, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week – Delaware: The First State Date Posted: April 18, 2022
Electronic Speed Safety Program in I-95 Restore the Corridor Construction Zone to Begin Issuing Violations Date Posted: April 14, 2022
Governor Carney Signs Rebate Legislation to Send $300 Direct Payments to Delawareans Date Posted: April 14, 2022
Office of the State Treasurer Working to Deliver Tax Rebate Checks Date Posted: April 14, 2022
DPH Launches COVID-19 Test-To-Treat Program In Delaware Date Posted: April 14, 2022
DPH And DOE Encourage Students To Test For COVID-19 Before Returning To School After Spring Break Date Posted: April 14, 2022
State Partnership Launches Workforce Development Program at Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution Date Posted: April 13, 2022
Students ‘Make A Splash’ for the Environment Date Posted: April 13, 2022
Celebrate Earth Day with Marsh Madness Salt Marsh Tours at the Aquatic Resources Education Center Date Posted: April 13, 2022
DPH Announces First Flu-related Death Of 2021-2022 Season Date Posted: April 12, 2022
DMV on the Go Now Open Date Posted: April 12, 2022
Welch Elementary Named Delaware’s First Purple Star School Date Posted: April 12, 2022
Flag Lowering for the Victims at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas Date Posted: May 24, 2022
Governor Carney Activates Emergency Management Assistance Compact to Support Emergency Response to Barge Fire Date Posted: May 24, 2022
Governor Carney Vetoes House Bill 371 Date Posted: May 24, 2022
Crews Work to Contain Fire on Barge in Delaware Bay Date Posted: May 23, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: East of the Mason-Dixon Line by Roger E. Nathan Date Posted: May 23, 2022
DPH Encourages Delawareans To Consider Masking In Public Amid Rising Covid-19 Cases Date Posted: May 21, 2022
2021 U.S. Road Fatalities Projected Highest in 16 Years, Delaware at 15-year High Date Posted: May 20, 2022
DHSS to Partner with Habitat for Humanity on Pilot Program for Minor Home Repairs for Older Delawareans Date Posted: May 19, 2022
Click It or Ticket Campaign Reminds Drivers: Buckle Up Every Trip, Every Time Date Posted: May 19, 2022
Public Encouraged to Avoid ‘Rescuing’ Young Wildlife Date Posted: May 19, 2022
Nonprofit Security Grant Applications Due June 1, 2022 Date Posted: May 17, 2022
Delaware’s Plastic Carryout Bag Ban July 1, 2022 Date Posted: May 17, 2022
DPH Offers Guidance And Resources On How To Navigate The Infant Formula Supply Shortage Date Posted: May 17, 2022
DNREC Names Two to Leadership Roles Date Posted: May 17, 2022
Governor Carney Honors Four Century Farm Families, 2022 Marks 35th Year of Delaware Century Farm Program Date Posted: May 16, 2022
Governor Carney Tests Positive for COVID-19 Date Posted: May 16, 2022
Holodick Names Top High School Seniors 2022 Secretary Scholars Date Posted: May 16, 2022
With Delaware Bay Beach Nourishment Projects Complete, DNREC Now Works Toward Restoring Atlantic Coastline Date Posted: May 16, 2022
DE Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Captain Thomas Macdonough Date Posted: May 16, 2022
School Behavioral Health Professionals Honored Date Posted: May 16, 2022
‘The Wooden World Revealed’ at Lewes’ Zwaanendael Museum Date Posted: May 13, 2022
Concord Pond to Be Treated for Invasive Aquatic Weed Hydrilla Date Posted: May 13, 2022
DNREC To Update Vehicle Emission Testing Requirements Date Posted: May 13, 2022
Dr. Karyl Rattay Announces Departure From Delaware Division Of Public Health Effective June 30, 2022 Date Posted: May 13, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: May 13, 2022
Delaware Extends Electric Vehicle Rebate Program Date Posted: May 12, 2022
High Path Avian Influenza Confirmed In Black Vultures, Poultry Producers Encouraged To Take Precautions Date Posted: May 11, 2022
Governor Carney Signs Paid Family Leave Legislation Date Posted: May 11, 2022
Tonieboxes Now Available for Children at Delaware Libraries Date Posted: May 11, 2022
McGuiness’s National COVID-19 Data Quality Audit Template Shapes Public Emergency Response Efforts Countrywide Date Posted: May 10, 2022
DNREC, Delaware Center for the Inland Bays To Host Water Family Fest Saturday, May 14 Date Posted: May 10, 2022
ICYMI: Dolly Parton in Delaware for the Imagination Library Statewide Celebration Date Posted: May 9, 2022
DPH Diabetes & Heart Disease Prevention & Control Program Sponsors 20th Annual Diabetes Wellness Expo Date Posted: May 9, 2022
Heritage Commission’s Book of the Week: Allen McLane – Patriot, Solider, Spy, Port Collector Date Posted: May 9, 2022
US Wind and Ørsted Conducting Offshore Wind Research Date Posted: May 9, 2022
Gov. Carney Celebrates 150th Arbor Day in Rehoboth Beach Date Posted: May 6, 2022
Division of Small Business Launches Innovative New Website Service Designed to Support Delaware’s Small Businesses Date Posted: May 6, 2022
DNREC, DEMA Sponsor Delaware Flood Awareness Week Date Posted: May 6, 2022
Delaware Changes Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Recreational Fishing Regulations Date Posted: May 5, 2022
DHSS Releases Second Annual Health Care Benchmark Trend Report Date Posted: May 5, 2022
Drivers Needed for DART’s Upcoming Beach Bus Season Date Posted: May 5, 2022
DHSS Launches State Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program Date Posted: May 5, 2022
DTI Announces New Chief Of Administration And Broadband Manager Date Posted: May 5, 2022
DNREC’s Monitoring Shows Overall Good Air Quality in Delaware Date Posted: May 4, 2022
Columbus Organization Will Continue to Connect Individuals to Services, Supports Date Posted: May 4, 2022
May Is Viral Hepatitis Awareness Month; May 19 Hepatitis Testing Day Date Posted: May 4, 2022
Governor Carney Proclaims May 2022 as Trauma Awareness Month Date Posted: May 4, 2022
Attorney General Jennings Announces $141 Million TurboTax Settlement Date Posted: May 4, 2022
Natural World On Display At Buena Vista On May 14, 2022 Date Posted: May 4, 2022
DNREC’s A-Street Ditch PCB Cleanup Pilot: Two Years in, Results Show Continued Gains Against Pollutants Date Posted: May 3, 2022
Dept of Labor Teams Up with Community Partners to Offer Job Seekers Career Support Date Posted: May 3, 2022
DCRPT Secures Prison Sentence in Sussex County Hate Crime Date Posted: May 3, 2022
DNREC Urges Clean Alternatives to Burning Yard Waste Date Posted: May 2, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Public Service Recognition Week, May 1-7 Date Posted: May 2, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week – Democracy in Delaware: The Story of the First State’s General Assembly Date Posted: May 2, 2022
Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long to Hold COVID-19 Remembrance Memorial Ceremony in Dover Date Posted: April 29, 2022
State Auditor Kathy McGuiness Releases Report Announcing Delaware Erases Rape Kit Backlog Date Posted: April 28, 2022
Charter School of Wilmington Wins Championship in 2022 Delaware Envirothon Date Posted: April 28, 2022
Delaware Students Awarded Full-ride Merit Scholarships Date Posted: April 28, 2022
Governor Carney Formally Extends Public Health Emergency Date Posted: April 28, 2022
Delaware’s First State Food System Program Accepting Applications Date Posted: April 28, 2022
The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit “Characters” by Gail Husch Date Posted: April 28, 2022
Groundbreaking Global Supplier Diversity Initiative Launched Date Posted: April 27, 2022
Champion Crowned in 2022 Delaware Junior Solar Sprint Date Posted: April 27, 2022
Delaware Deer Harvest Announced for 2021/22 Hunting Season Date Posted: April 27, 2022
Governor Carney, Lt. Governor Hall-Long, DSCYF Announce $16 Million Investment for Vulnerable Delawareans Date Posted: April 26, 2022
DPH Announces 22nd DEA National Prescription Drug Take-back Day For Delaware Date Posted: April 26, 2022
DEMA Encourages Nonprofits To Prepare For Grant Opportunity Date Posted: April 26, 2022
Delaware Will Issue Monthly Emergency Benefits On April 28 Date Posted: April 26, 2022
Delaware Emitirá Beneficios de Emergencia Mensuales el 28 de Abril Date Posted: April 26, 2022
13 Young People, 4 Emerging Leaders, 2 Groups to Be Honored with Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Award Date Posted: April 25, 2022
Create a Safer Ride During Motorcycle Awareness Month Date Posted: April 25, 2022
Department of Correction to Present “Insider Series” Webinar On Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Date Posted: April 25, 2022
DOJ, Community Partners, Amazon to Host Expungement and Employment fair April 28 Date Posted: April 25, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Delaware During the Civil War: A Political History Date Posted: April 25, 2022
DNREC to Offer Training For Volunteer Beach-nesting Bird Monitors Date Posted: April 25, 2022
DPH Reports Increase In Covid-19 Cases, Hospitalizations; Rates Remain Low Compared To Winter Surge Date Posted: April 22, 2022
Secretary of State Jeff Bullock Announces Leadership Changes Date Posted: April 22, 2022
DOJ Releases March Violent Crime Prosecution Recap Date Posted: April 22, 2022
Delaware State Housing Authority Extends The Length Of Rental Assistance Available Date Posted: April 21, 2022
Delaware Office of Highway Safety Kicks Off Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month Date Posted: April 21, 2022
DNREC Announces Aquatic Resources Education Center’s Second Annual Photography Contest Date Posted: April 21, 2022
Students Win Contest for Earth Day Videos Date Posted: April 20, 2022
Nominations Open for 2022 Young Environmentalist Awards Date Posted: April 19, 2022
FREE 2022 Delaware Building Bridges Virtual Conference Date Posted: April 19, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Staff Changes Date Posted: April 19, 2022
Historical and Cultural Affairs programs in May 2022 Date Posted: April 18, 2022
DNREC Volunteer Awards, Tree for Every Delawarean Planting Kick Off Earth Week at Brandywine Park Date Posted: April 18, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week – Delaware: The First State Date Posted: April 18, 2022
Electronic Speed Safety Program in I-95 Restore the Corridor Construction Zone to Begin Issuing Violations Date Posted: April 14, 2022
Governor Carney Signs Rebate Legislation to Send $300 Direct Payments to Delawareans Date Posted: April 14, 2022
Office of the State Treasurer Working to Deliver Tax Rebate Checks Date Posted: April 14, 2022
DPH Launches COVID-19 Test-To-Treat Program In Delaware Date Posted: April 14, 2022
DPH And DOE Encourage Students To Test For COVID-19 Before Returning To School After Spring Break Date Posted: April 14, 2022
State Partnership Launches Workforce Development Program at Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution Date Posted: April 13, 2022
Students ‘Make A Splash’ for the Environment Date Posted: April 13, 2022
Celebrate Earth Day with Marsh Madness Salt Marsh Tours at the Aquatic Resources Education Center Date Posted: April 13, 2022
DPH Announces First Flu-related Death Of 2021-2022 Season Date Posted: April 12, 2022
DMV on the Go Now Open Date Posted: April 12, 2022
Welch Elementary Named Delaware’s First Purple Star School Date Posted: April 12, 2022
Flag Status - FULL STAFF
Division of Public Health | Date Posted: Tuesday, April 26, 2022
DOVER (April 26, 2022) – Delaware will hold its 22nd National DEA Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Delawareans can discard their expired or unused medications at locations statewide between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. There will also be Sharps disposals for needle disposal at select locations, and overdose response education with free Narcan available at select locations.
Organized nationally by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is operated locally by the Division of Public Health (DPH). The twice-a-year event is aimed at reducing the risk of prescription medications being diverted for misuse and has resulted in nearly 100,000 pounds of medication being collected since 2010. Properly discarding unused medications through this event is an important ongoing activity in the effort to address the nationwide opioid epidemic. Doing so reduces the risk of addiction by keeping prescription medications out of the hands of people who may misuse, abuse, or divert them, and helps reduce the risk of drug overdoses.
“The addiction for far too many people living with substance use first began because they had access to prescription medications from the homes of someone they know,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “By safely turning in your prescription medications that have expired, or that you no longer need, on Drug Take-Back Day, you can help fight the epidemic in Delaware while also making your home safer.”
According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 16.1 million people reported misusing any prescription drug in the past 12 months. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. According to the state Division of Forensic Science, there were 515 overdose deaths in 2021 in Delaware, a 15 percent increase from the 447 reported in 2020.
In addition to the sites participating in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day activities, there are 28 permanent medicine drop-off locations across the state available year-round. Six of Delaware’s permanent drop-off sites are in Walgreens pharmacies and the other 22 are located in local law enforcement agencies. In addition to medicine drop off locations, DPH and community partners also distribute medication deactivation bags to the public to use at home. For a list of permanent collection sites and how to get a free disposal bag, visit www.helpisherede.com/understanding-addiction/safe-drug-storage-and-disposal.
The medications to be disposed of at the Take-Back Day locations must be in a container such as a pill bottle, box, blister pack, or zipped plastic bag, with personal information removed. Liquid medications must be in their original containers. Besides medications, vape pens and e-cigarettes will be collected if the batteries are removed. There are 25 locations participating in the National Prescription Drug Take Back event. You can find the list of locations here: https://www.dea.gov/takebackday.
Delawareans can bring any used needles to be disposed of properly at the following locations ( https://www.helpisherede.com/documents/DDPHOHCR-34668-HelpIsHereDE-SharpsDisposalLocations_R1.pdf). The used needle disposal containers are only for public and not commercial entities, and individuals will need to sign a waiver stating that needles are from home use. Outside of health care facilities, an estimated 7.8 billion injections occur a year according to solid waste and recycling organization Waste 360. Once recycled, needles can result in accidental sticks carrying blood-borne pathogens. The safest way to dispose of needles is to use a designated Sharps disposal container which is delivered to incinerators so that accidental exposure cannot occur.
To further enhance overdose prevention and education efforts, three of the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back locations (Middletown, Wyoming, and Selbyville Police Departments) will also be offering Overdose Response Training and Narcan distribution to the public. It is recommended that anyone who has a prescription opioid or has friends and family who use opioid prescriptions or illicit drugs receive this training and the overdose reversal medication, Narcan. For other community trainings and where you can get free Narcan go to: https://www.helpisherede.com/overdose-prevention.
For more details about the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, visit http://dhss.delaware.gov/dph/hsp/hhdrugtakeback.html .
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction in Delaware, call DHSS’ 24/7 Crisis Hotline to be connected to treatment and recovery options. In New Castle County, call 1-800-652-2929. Or in Kent and Sussex counties, call 1-800-345-6785. For free 24/7 counseling, coaching, and support, as well as links to mental health, addiction, and crisis services call the Delaware Hope Line at 833-9-HOPEDE. To search online for treatment and recovery services in Delaware or nearby states, visit HelpIsHereDE.com.
A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com .
Related Topics: addiciton, DEA, Delaware, Delaware Division of Public Health, drug abuse, drug enforcement agency, drug enforcemnet agency, drug takeback day, opioids, overdose, social good
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
Division of Public Health | Date Posted: Tuesday, April 26, 2022
DOVER (April 26, 2022) – Delaware will hold its 22nd National DEA Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Delawareans can discard their expired or unused medications at locations statewide between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. There will also be Sharps disposals for needle disposal at select locations, and overdose response education with free Narcan available at select locations.
Organized nationally by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is operated locally by the Division of Public Health (DPH). The twice-a-year event is aimed at reducing the risk of prescription medications being diverted for misuse and has resulted in nearly 100,000 pounds of medication being collected since 2010. Properly discarding unused medications through this event is an important ongoing activity in the effort to address the nationwide opioid epidemic. Doing so reduces the risk of addiction by keeping prescription medications out of the hands of people who may misuse, abuse, or divert them, and helps reduce the risk of drug overdoses.
“The addiction for far too many people living with substance use first began because they had access to prescription medications from the homes of someone they know,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “By safely turning in your prescription medications that have expired, or that you no longer need, on Drug Take-Back Day, you can help fight the epidemic in Delaware while also making your home safer.”
According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 16.1 million people reported misusing any prescription drug in the past 12 months. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. According to the state Division of Forensic Science, there were 515 overdose deaths in 2021 in Delaware, a 15 percent increase from the 447 reported in 2020.
In addition to the sites participating in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day activities, there are 28 permanent medicine drop-off locations across the state available year-round. Six of Delaware’s permanent drop-off sites are in Walgreens pharmacies and the other 22 are located in local law enforcement agencies. In addition to medicine drop off locations, DPH and community partners also distribute medication deactivation bags to the public to use at home. For a list of permanent collection sites and how to get a free disposal bag, visit www.helpisherede.com/understanding-addiction/safe-drug-storage-and-disposal.
The medications to be disposed of at the Take-Back Day locations must be in a container such as a pill bottle, box, blister pack, or zipped plastic bag, with personal information removed. Liquid medications must be in their original containers. Besides medications, vape pens and e-cigarettes will be collected if the batteries are removed. There are 25 locations participating in the National Prescription Drug Take Back event. You can find the list of locations here: https://www.dea.gov/takebackday.
Delawareans can bring any used needles to be disposed of properly at the following locations ( https://www.helpisherede.com/documents/DDPHOHCR-34668-HelpIsHereDE-SharpsDisposalLocations_R1.pdf). The used needle disposal containers are only for public and not commercial entities, and individuals will need to sign a waiver stating that needles are from home use. Outside of health care facilities, an estimated 7.8 billion injections occur a year according to solid waste and recycling organization Waste 360. Once recycled, needles can result in accidental sticks carrying blood-borne pathogens. The safest way to dispose of needles is to use a designated Sharps disposal container which is delivered to incinerators so that accidental exposure cannot occur.
To further enhance overdose prevention and education efforts, three of the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back locations (Middletown, Wyoming, and Selbyville Police Departments) will also be offering Overdose Response Training and Narcan distribution to the public. It is recommended that anyone who has a prescription opioid or has friends and family who use opioid prescriptions or illicit drugs receive this training and the overdose reversal medication, Narcan. For other community trainings and where you can get free Narcan go to: https://www.helpisherede.com/overdose-prevention.
For more details about the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, visit http://dhss.delaware.gov/dph/hsp/hhdrugtakeback.html .
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction in Delaware, call DHSS’ 24/7 Crisis Hotline to be connected to treatment and recovery options. In New Castle County, call 1-800-652-2929. Or in Kent and Sussex counties, call 1-800-345-6785. For free 24/7 counseling, coaching, and support, as well as links to mental health, addiction, and crisis services call the Delaware Hope Line at 833-9-HOPEDE. To search online for treatment and recovery services in Delaware or nearby states, visit HelpIsHereDE.com.
A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com .
Related Topics: addiciton, DEA, Delaware, Delaware Division of Public Health, drug abuse, drug enforcement agency, drug enforcemnet agency, drug takeback day, opioids, overdose, social good
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
Delaware's Governor State Agencies Elected Officials General Assembly Delaware Courts State Employees Cities & Towns Delaware State Code State Regulations Business First Steps
Phone Directory Locations Directory Public Meetings Voting & Elections Transparency Delaware Marketplace Tax Center Personal Income Tax Privacy Policy Weather & Travel
Contact Us Corporations Franchise Tax Gross Receipts Tax Withholding Tax Delaware Topics Help Center Mobile Apps E-mail / Text Alerts Social Media
Built by the Government Information Center ©MMXXII Delaware.gov