New Focus on Drug Overdose Deaths in Delaware

Gov. Jack Markell is signing legislation to create a state commission that will review drug overdose deaths in Delaware.

The Drug Overdose Fatality Review Commission is similar to commissions the state already has in place to review child deaths and deaths of domestic violence victims.

The panel will investigate and review all overdose deaths involving prescribed opiates, fentanyl and heroin. It will also make recommendations to the governor and legislature on ways to reduce the number of fatal overdoses.

Commission members will include representatives of the attorney general's office, medical examiner's office, public health division and law enforcement agencies.

The meetings of the commission and associated regional review teams will not be open to the public, and its records will also remain confidential.