Delaware's overdose death statistics may appear lower than last year, but state officials warn those numbers could be deceiving.

The state recorded 185 suspected overdose deaths so far this year, according to the state Department of Health and Social Services – putting it ahead of last year's total of 181 suspected overdose deaths through October 2016.

"It’s important to be cautious,” said Dr. Kara Odom Walker, secretary of the state Department of Health and Social Services. “We obviously want to be optimistic but we’re really close to where we were last year.”

Because toxicology reports take about six to eight weeks to process, the suspected overdose death count that the state now makes public on the HelpIsHere.com website may actually be lower than the final numbers, Walker said. Those numbers are based on Death Investigation Alerts that the health department receives when drugs are believed to have played a role in a death.

Last year finished with 308 overdose deaths, even though these unofficial alerts indicated only 224 deaths, said DHSS spokeswoman Jill Fredel.

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And with holidays coming up – a time of year that can be extremely stressful, especially for those struggling with addiction – state officials aren't sure what they'll be up against.

"These are stressful periods of times coming up for a family," Walker said, "and winter adds in another flavor. These are things that we have to really pay very close attention to. This is an epidemic."

The rise of fentanyl, a synthetic painkiller about 50 times more powerful than heroin, has also contributed to the surge in fatalities nationwide. Last year, it was responsible for 120 fentanyl-related deaths, a 186 percent increase from the year before, according to the state Division of Forensic Science and the Department of Health and Social Services.

The drug is so powerful that it can require multiple doses of naloxone, the overdose antidote that has been administered by emergency responders 1,280 times between Jan. 1 and June 30 — an average of about seven times per day statewide. Last year, the state averaged using naloxone about six times per day, according to state statistics.

And though it's hard to say whether the increased use is due to availability or more people overdosing, Walker said it's impossible to overlook the impact of naloxone.

"Naloxone is saving lives," she said. "We're so fortunate to have greater access to it for those people who are really suffering from (addiction)."

The health secretary also stressed the importance of knowing the signs of overdose, especially for those working in restaurants or other public service fields.

"If more people knew the signs, we could be saving even more lives," Walker added.

Last week, Christiana Fire Chief Rich Perillo shared on Facebook a black and white photo of Christiana Fire and EMS personnel using naloxone to revive an overdosed person.

"In the not so distant past, photos and stories like this we would only see on TV or in text books," Perillo wrote. "Today this is your neighbor....your friend....your family!"

The chief said he shared the post to show people that everyone is affected by addiction.

"I feel we have all found ourselves to be addicted: the addict to the drug, the family and friends to the addict, the responders to the efforts, and it continues," Perillo said. "Our opioid addiction has become far more contagious than most think. I am very proud, however, more thankful for the interest our responders have taken to ensure we do everything we can to save lives. ... This photo and post was but a glimpse of the compassionate power within our responders. Unfortunately, it will never be enough."

To help combat these high overdose numbers — specifically in New Castle and Sussex counties — the state Division of Public Health will launch new curriculum targeting drug addiction and substance use.

The life-skills pilot program is a partnership between the health division and the state Department of Education, and will focus on giving children skills to handle situations that may encourage them to try drugs or engage in unhealthy behavior.

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“Adolescents tend to try substances due to peer pressure, family problems, or low self-esteem, and can easily become addicted,” said Delaware Division of Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “We wanted to provide teachers with the resources and supports this curriculum offers, to integrate life-skills building and substance use prevention in schools while also helping them to achieve their health education requirements.”

The program will be rolled out in the following schools:

Brandywine Springs Middle School in Red Clay Consolidated School District

William Henry and Central middle schools in the Capital School District

Seaford Middle School in the Seaford School District

Selbyville, Millsboro and Georgetown middle schools, and the Delaware School of the Arts in the Indian River School District

New Castle County records the most overdoses statewide, often more than doubling other counties throughout the state.

Earlier this month, Kent County saw a spike of two deaths over one weekend – a deadly spike for a county that saw only four overdose deaths from July through September. In New Castle County, the state recorded 42 overdoses during that same time and another 15 in Sussex County.

On Thursday, the state Department of Health and Social Services will host a conference in Dover to discuss "A Vision for Substance Use Disorder Treatment." The secretary, along with state Attorney General Matt Denn, Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall Long and others, will deliver remarks.

The entire event will also be streamed via Facebook Live.

How to get help

New Castle County hotline: (800) 652-2929

Kent and Sussex counties hotline: (800) 345-6785

HelpIsHereDE.com

Contact Brittany Horn at (302) 324-2771 or bhorn@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @brittanyhorn.