SUSSEX COUNTY, Del.- According to delawaregoespurple.org, just under 12,000 Delawareans are seeking treatment for substance abuse.
Nine million adolescents and young adults need help with drug and alcohol. And overdose deaths in the state are at an all-time high of 447 so far this year.
For Sun Behavioral Delaware, the current split of clients is 50-50 between patients dealing with drugs and alcohol.
Director of Pharmacy Lisa Deal says there is one major problem in Sussex County when fighting this crisis.
"Finding providers and more care," Deal said. "We are seeing an exponential growth of needs for substance abuse disorder patients and just having not only the inpatient care that you would receive here and at other places but having that outpatient care and continuing to have care outside of the hospitals."
Square One Sober Living provides housing and resources for men suffering from substance abuse. Director of Operations Patrick Hunt says the crisis affects more than just the afflicted.
"Nobody is immune to this disease," Hunt said "So, if you don’t think that you can be affected by it, we are. We’re all affected by it. And the stigma needs to stop and we all need to not only be aware but take advantage of the resources that we have to fight this epidemic."
Grain On The Rocks Lewes will be hosting a Beebe Goes Purple fundraiser on Wednesday. General Manager Jason Meisner says the restaurant continues to look for ways to support causes that help the local community.
"Here in this area it’s obviously running rampant and anything we can do to bring awareness and funds to help training and education on the opioid epidemic in Sussex County and really the Delmarva area in general, we’re more than happy to lend a helping hand," Meisner said.
Twenty percent of all food sales throughout the day and all tips for celebrity bartenders working from 5 to 8 p.m. at the outdoor bar will support Beebe Healthcare’s Go Purple Fund.
