Public-health official briefs council on free naloxone, test strips and Board of Health vacancy

Jeff Gibbs, with the Delaware Public Health District, told the City Council on Feb. 23 that the health district continues to distribute free naloxone kits and drug-test strips to residents and businesses and is running regular community outreach to teach overdose recognition and response.

“We continue to provide those naloxone kits free to any members of the community,” Gibbs said, and added that the district offers fentanyl and xylazine test strips and naloxone boxes for businesses. He said the outreach and training are provided at no charge and that the program also supplies test strips to detect the presence of those drugs.

Gibbs also announced an opening on the Board of Health: the seat held by a township or village representative will not be renewed and interested residents must submit an application and resume to the health commissioner prior to the March District Advisory Council meeting. He described additional countywide solid-waste and scrap-tire cleanup funding available on a first-come, first-served basis for qualifying households, and noted that a notice of violation from the Board of Health is required for eligibility under that program.

Council responded that public-comment items that require follow-up would be scheduled as presentations at a later meeting so council members can ask questions. The council did not take action on the public-health items at the meeting; staff said the health department would be invited back as a presentation at a future meeting.

The public-health update was given during the public-comment portion of the agenda and was primarily informational; no formal votes or allocations were made during the presentation.