SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — On Saturday, April 25, Emily’s Hope partnered with Lewis Drug to bring DEA National Drug Take Back Day to neighborhoods across Sioux Falls — and the community showed up.
Emily’s Hope staff were on-site at six Lewis Pharmacy locations, with resource tables at two additional locations, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. During those four hours, staff engaged in meaningful conversations with community members and observed approximately 55 individuals safely dispose of unused or expired medications — keeping those substances out of medicine cabinets, out of the wrong hands, and out of the environment.
In addition to medication collection, Emily’s Hope distributed life-saving prevention resources, including 68 naloxone kits, 23 fentanyl test strips, and 66 DisposeRX Medication Disposal packets.
“Drug Take Back Day is a simple but powerful way for our community to take action,” said Angela Kennecke, founder and president of Emily’s Hope. “By safely disposing of unused medications and increasing access to naloxone, we are helping prevent misuse and giving people the tools they need to save lives.”
By placing Emily’s Hope staff inside trusted, high-traffic pharmacy locations, the partnership created a natural opportunity to reach people who might not otherwise seek out substance use resources — turning a routine errand into a potentially life-saving interaction.
Lewis Drug Vice President of Pharmacy Jessica Strobl reflected on what the partnership means for the broader community. “Lewis Drug is proud to partner with Emily’s Hope for Drug Take Back Day and to help provide our community with a safe, convenient way to dispose of unused medications,” she said. “Events like this are an important part of preventing medication misuse, protecting families, and supporting the health and safety of the communities we serve.”
For those who were unable to participate on April 25, Lewis Drug offers year-round medication disposal options at all Sioux Falls locations — making it easy to keep homes safe and reduce the risk of misuse or accidental overdose at any time.
