(REHOBOTH, Del.)-Governor Jack Markell recently addressed the growing drug problem and lack of Addiction Services offered in Delaware.
Tuesday he announced the launch of a website geared towards helping addicts and their families get help.
He also made clear his plans to put in a new State-Funded Withdrawal Management Service in Sussex County.
Legal, Highly addictive prescription pain medications are being prescribed to help patients on the path to recovery. But for patients like David Harper, they often lead down the path to addiction.
"At first it was the pain pills, Percocet, Oxycontin, stuff like that," explained Harper, Lewes. "Then I started running out of money so I graduated to heroin which is cheaper living up in the city especially."
After three years of using, Harpers heroin addiction had reached a breaking point.
"The closest Methadone Clinic at the time was in Georgetown and I had two DUIs, no car, no public transportation, just no means to get there," said Harper.
"Limited access to care is of detriment to a lot of patients who are seeking treatment," said Clinical Supervisor at Addiction Medical Solutions, Aaron Fox.
With more of these state-mandated resources we could see a cut-back in the number of overdoses in Delaware.