Non-Fatal Substance Use

Opioid overdoses emergency medical system (EMS) encounters provide an indicator about the status of opioid use disorder in Delaware communities.

Opioid overdoses in EMS data are important for early detection of trends but are classified based on clinical impressions, not toxicology. Further testing at the hospital can provide specific drug information, but not all EMS opioid overdoses result in emergency department visits.

Naloxone administrations can also provide an indication about overdose but is likely overestimated due to response efforts with patients who have an unknown opioid use status.