DOVER — Bromazolam is a synthetic benzodiazepine never approved for use in the United States, but according to state health officials, it has made its way into the area’s illicit opioid supply, and is the reason for a spate of overdoses in Kent and Sussex counties discovered in late April.
“The surge in Sussex was a spike in overdoses, peaking at approximately twice the normal volume of overdoses per day,” Brent Waninger, director of the state’s Overdose Response Center said. “The spike was the result of an unknown (at the time) change in the drug supply. The spike lasted approximately two weeks.”
In total, the department’s most recent numbers, released May 9, count 148 suspected overdoses in Sussex with another 90 reported in Kent, with 11 suspected fatalities across both counties.
“As we identify new/emerging substances in Delaware’s drug supply, we research and aim to provide the most relevant information to our treatment providers and outreach workers throughout the state,” Mr. Waninger said.
The presence of bromazolam in the state was confirmed in May, according to Mr. Waninger, and bordering states have also reported its presence. It is also known as “benzo-dope” and “designer Xanax,” and may be found in street products like “Xanax bars,” according to the state.
According to the state department of health, the drug exhibits potent sedative, hypnotic and anti-anxiety effects that only get more potent with the mixture of opioids, increasing the risk of overdose, hospitalization and machine-assisted breathing.
As was the case in Delaware, the bromazolam was mixed with opioid fentanyl and xylazine, a tranquilizer used on horses and other large mammals, according to Mr. Waninger.
“Opioids continue to cause significant problems in our community. EMS is working to care for patients with effects of overdose and to offer options for entry into ongoing treatment,” Dr. Robert Rosenbaum, director of emergency medical services and preparedness, department of health, said. “While this episode was short in duration, the chronic issue of patients with substance use disorder continues and EMS will work to address this problem.”
Narcan is still the first line of treatment in the case of a suspected overdose, even if a mixture of substances is suspected, Dr. Rosenbaum said.
“Narcan helps to restore breathing and needs to be the first priority on patients with overdose,” he said.
And that is the only response a person who administers Narcan should be looking for.
“They do not need to wake up, be alert, or talking — just breathing. Narcan nasal spray is administered one spray in one nostril. Wait three to five minutes for the medication to start working, and continue rescue breaths and/or CPR,” Mr. Waninger said. “If they don’t begin breathing after a couple doses of naloxone, there are likely other factors at play and a higher level of medical care is needed immediately.”
Which is why the first thing someone should do when they find someone unresponsive due to suspected overdose is to call 911, he said.
Even with the spike earlier this year, Mr. Waninger said the overall trend remains favorable in terms of number of overdoses within Delaware in 2024.
“Overall the state continues to flatten the curve of overdoses. We saw a small decrease in overdose deaths 2023 vs. 2022,” he said. “We do not expect that this spike event would change that direction.”
Staff writer Brian Gilliland can be reached at 410-603-3737 or bg@iniusa.org.
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