La Red Health Center is excited to announce its upcoming La Red Goes Purple event, taking place on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at La Red Health Center, located at 21444 Carmean Way in Georgetown.

The La Red Goes Purple event is meant to raise awareness of substance use disorder (SUD) in Delaware, particularly opioid use disorder (OUD). Last year, 338 Delawareans died of an accidental drug overdose, making it the second leading cause of death in our state, behind natural causes, according to the 2024 Delaware Division of Forensic Science Annual Report.

“More people died from drug overdoses in our state than traffic accidents and suicides combined,” said Rachel Hersh, La Red Health Center’s CEO. “While the number of overdose deaths in Delaware has slowed in the last two years, there is still far more work to be done. La Red wants to lead the way by offering community members lifesaving Narcan, connection to care and resources in the community.”

This free event will bring together more than 50 local community resource partners offering information and support across a wide range of services, including healthcare, behavioral health, housing, nutrition, family support, employment resources, and even physical therapy. Free tacos are also available on a first come, first served basis.

Whether you're looking for access to medical care, social services, or simply want to learn more about what’s available in Sussex County to treat or prevent substance use disorder, this is the perfect opportunity to connect.

“It can be difficult to navigate the complexities of SUD and access all of the resources that someone needs to get their life back,” said John Russum, La Red Health Center’s Behavioral Health Administrator. “We want people to leave this event with the information and the help they need to do just that.”

This annual event is coordinated by La Red Health Center’s Behavioral Health Team as part of an effort to raise awareness of the importance of community and available resources during Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month.

Attendees will be able to speak directly with representatives from participating organizations, pick up helpful materials, and receive free Narcan and training on its use. Narcan can reverse an opioid overdose and potentially save a life. All are welcome.

For more information, visit https://www.laredhealthcenter.org/events.or follow La Red Health Center on social media for updates.

La Red Health Center, a federally qualified health center in Sussex County, Del., has provided quality health care for individuals and families since 2001. La Red is committed to ensuring the highest level of care for all individuals and families. La Red offers primary health care, pediatrics, women’s health services, behavioral health services at its three locations in Milford, Seaford and Georgetown. La Red also offers dental services at its Milford and Georgetown locations. For more information about La Red Health Center visit www.laredhealthcenter.org.