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DHSS Press Release

Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Pager 302-357-7498
Email: jill.fredel@delaware.gov

Date: September 28, 2018
DHSS-09-2018

MEDIA ADVISORY: PRESS CONFERENCE FOR LAUNCH OF DHSS' START INITIATIVE

WHAT:	Governor John Carney will join Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, state Sen. Stephanie Hansen, DHSS Secretary Kara Odom Walker and others at a press conference as the Department of Health and Social Services introduces the START (Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Transformation) Initiative. The START Initiative is designed to engage more Delawareans suffering from substance use disorder in treatment, while also meeting their accompanying needs for housing, employment, education and other wraparound services. The initiative will change the way addiction treatment is delivered in Delaware, including the addition of using certified recovery peers connected to emergency departments, primary care, urgent care, EMS, police officers and families as the gateway. In 2017, 345 people died from overdoses in Delaware, according to the Division of Forensic Science (DFS). That total was up about 12 percent from 2016. Through Sept. 27 of this year, 214 people have died from suspected overdoses in Delaware, including a record monthly total of 39 lives lost in August, according to DFS. The press conference will be followed by a forum in which invited stakeholders will learn more about START.
WHEN:	9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3
WHERE:	Westin Wilmington, Wilmington Riverfront, 818 Shipyard Drive, Wilmington (Caesar Rodney Ballroom)
WHO:	Governor John Carney Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester State Sen. Stephanie Hansen State Rep. David Bentz (invited) DHSS Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker Elizabeth Romero, director of the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Dr. Karyl Rattay, director of the Division of Public Health Don Keister, co-founder of atTAcK addiction Peer Client
DETAILS:	For more information on addiction prevention, treatment and recovery in Delaware: www.HelpisHereDE.com

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

MEDIA ADVISORY: PRESS CONFERENCE FOR LAUNCH OF DHSS' START INITIATIVE

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