Delaware
It should be noted that these pages are not intended as an academic reference. The data collected is from State and Federal sources.
Delaware Addiction Treatment Statistics
In 2009, there were 7,814 people admitted for alcohol and drug rehab. Of that number 73% were male and 27 % were female. 69.3 % were White while 27.9 % were African-American.
Out of the total number of drug and alcohol rehabs, 57.5 % were for substance abuse treatment only. 25 % of all substance abuse treatment programs offered treatment for a variety of conditions and 23% of all facilities were able to offer in house detox treatment.
Alcohol Addiction in Delaware
1,935 people were admitted for alcoholism as the primary addiction as well as alcohol abuse with a secondary substance to treatment in 2009.
In Delaware during 2009, 40% of 11th graders reported that have been to a party where the parents bought the alcohol.
Commonly Abused Drugs in Delaware
Delaware ranked among the top ten states for several drug abuse categories. Alarmingly, 18-25 year olds were the largest age group abusing marijuana and cocaine. 18-25 year olds, were also the largest group with unmet treatment needs in 2006.
Marijuana
In 2009, 1,813 people were admitted to addiction treatment facilities for marijuana, the second most abused drug in Delaware. Marijuana is readily available in varying quantities in Delaware, and is used by individuals from a variety of ethnic populations and socioeconomic sectors. Recreational use of marijuana is popular among high school and college age students, although adults remain its predominant users.
Heroin
In 2009, 1,668 people entered drug rehab for heroin addiction. Heroin was tied with marijuana as the second most abused drug for those entering treatment. Heroin is primarily available in northern Delaware. The relocation of heroin trafficking and distribution organizations over the last few years has resulted in an increased availability of heroin in locations once dominated by powder cocaine, crack cocaine, and other drugs.
Cocaine
According to the U.S. Dept of Justice, cocaine is the second greatest drug threat in Delaware, though this data is from 2002. In 2009, 668 individuals entered drug rehab for cocaine dependence of all forms.
Prescription Drugs
Because of the increase in the prescription drug problem, in 2010 the Governor of Delaware signed into effect a Delaware Prescription Drug Monitoring Program for Schedule II, III, IV and V controlled substances. During 2009, 1,403 people were admitted for opiates other than heroin. Of all those admitted for opiate abuse, 25.9 % were ages 26-30 years old.
Delaware Drug and Alcohol Fatalities, Injuries and Drug Court Statistics
Overall, Delaware ranked below the national average for drug-induced deaths. During 2005, approximately 18.6% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Delaware committed drug offenses. Approximately 44% of the Federal drug cases involved crack cocaine. There were a total of 3,804 DUI arrests in 2009. In that same year, 314 juveniles were arrested for DUIs.
As of 2006, there were 7 drug courts in Delaware that have been operating for more than 2 years. No additional drug courts were being planned in Delaware at that time. In 2010, there were a combined total of 1,456 treatment beds (adolescents and adults) in the prison system.
“The middle-aged driver (aged 25-54) accounted for 55% of drivers in all crashes in 2009 and 58% of the drivers in fatal crashes”. There were a total of 3,804 DUI arrests in 2009. In that same year, 314 juveniles were arrested for DUIs. The most common prescription drugs found on drivers under the influence of drugs were Codeine, Xanax, Valium, Percocet, Nembutol and cough syrups.
102 people died as a direct result of drug use in 2007. In 2009, 10% of all fatal crashes involved people under the influence of drugs.
Delaware Drug and Alcohol Addiction Resources
- Alcoholics Anonymous (go to the AA main page, click on find a meeting, follow link to state pages, click on Delaware)
- Narcotics Anonymous
- Alanon and Alateen Family Group
