Delaware’s overdose death toll dropped to 314 in 2025 after a height in 2022. One of the state’s largest recovery nonprofits marked that progress. atTAcK addiction presented its medal of honor to Joanna Champney, director of the state’s Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health at the Be a Hero gala on October 22 at the Executive Banquet Center near Newark.
The Honoree
Champney has led DSAMH since 2021. She oversaw the state-funded treatment continuum and the Delaware Psychiatric Center. Champney also co-chairs the Delaware Addiction Action Committee and the Delaware Overdose System of Care.
In 2025, Governor Matt Meyer appointed Champney to chair the Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission to distribute $13-$15 million per year to prevention, opioid treatment and recovery programs.
“Overdose deaths in Delaware have decreased dramatically over the past three years,” observed atTAcK president Dawn Hess-Fischer.
“Under Joanna’s leadership, more Narcan kits have been distributed across the state, more Delawareans have been connected to treatment and recovery services, and more lives have been saved.”
Local Events Matter
atTacK owns three recovery residences, runs outreach in Sussex and Kent counties and operates a resource center in Glasgow.
Since 2013, 4,800+ Delawareans have died of overdose. Events like the gala fund the emegency beds and family support that turn folks around so they go back on their feet.
Local Resources in The First State & Beyond
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