Fentanyl overdoses are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 45, and the epidemic has reached the Midwest with significant drug seizures across the Siouxland states in 2025.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, agents seized four pounds of fentanyl powder in South Dakota in 2025, equivalent to 146,000 lethal doses. In Iowa, they seized 13 pounds of fentanyl powder, equivalent to 440,000 lethal doses. Nebraska saw the largest seizure with 46 pounds of fentanyl powder, equivalent to 1 million lethal doses.
“Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat that our nation’s ever faced,” said Special Agent in Charge Dustin Gillespie with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
South Dakota was one of only two states to see an increase in overdose deaths in 2024. Fentanyl is a man-made opioid similar to morphine but up to 100 times more potent.
Emily’s Hope receives federal grant
Recently, a South Dakota-based organization dedicated to bringing fentanyl awareness, education and prevention received a $100,000 grant.
“We welcome programs like Emily’s Hope and any other myriad of programs that are out there to help because, and we need to find ways to work together and collaborate,” said Gillespie.
Angela Kennecke, CEO of Emily’s Hope, has made it her life mission to bring fentanyl awareness to South Dakotans.
“I lost my 21-year-old daughter Emily to fentanyl poisoning on May 16 of 2018,” said Kennecke.
Emily Groth died when the drug she was taking was laced with enough fentanyl to kill six people.
“After that, I vowed that that should happen to no other family,” said Kennecke.