South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced a major initiative today to combat the state’s growing opioid crisis through the distribution of 20,000 naloxone kits, totaling 40,000 doses, in partnership with nonprofit organization Emily’s Hope and the Departments of Social Services and Health.
Funded through the South Dakota Opioid Settlement and supplied by Teva Pharmaceuticals, the effort aims to make the life-saving overdose reversal drug widely accessible across communities statewide.
“In South Dakota, we find solutions,” said Attorney General Jackley. “I deeply appreciate the willingness of Emily’s Hope and other nonprofits to step up with preventative efforts that can save lives from fentanyl overdoses.”
Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is a proven, fast-acting medication that can reverse the effects of opioid overdoses within minutes by restoring normal breathing. Public health officials say having it readily available can mean the difference between life and death in emergency situations.
“Time is of the essence during opioid overdoses, and naloxone is the fire extinguisher of the opioid crisis,” said Angela Kennecke, founder of Emily’s Hope, which advocates for education, prevention, and support for those impacted by addiction. “This partnership will help make this medication more accessible to those who need it most.”
The kits will be distributed throughout the state to high-need areas and community partners, including schools, first responders, and public health organizations.
Teva Pharmaceuticals, the company supplying the kits, praised the effort as a model of collaboration. “Like EpiPens and defibrillators, having naloxone readily available can save lives,” said David McAvoy, Teva’s Chief Legal Officer. “This is a nation-leading example of what can be achieved when government, nonprofits, and industry work together to fight the opioid epidemic.”
This initiative marks one of the largest naloxone distribution efforts in South Dakota’s history and reflects the state’s ongoing commitment to reducing opioid-related deaths through early intervention and community engagement.
By: DNU staff