Avera is partnering with Emily’s Hope to make free naloxone, also known as Narcan®, available at numerous Avera sites across South Dakota.
Naloxone can save a life if someone takes too many opioids (like pain pills or heroin) by reversing opioid effects and helping the person to wake up and start breathing properly. It’s a nasal spray with no needles involved. While it can be lifesaving for someone who is overdosing, it won’t hurt someone if they aren’t truly overdosing.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Emily’s Hope to make naloxone more widely available across the Avera footprint,” said Mara Hermiston, DO, Chief Medical Officer for Avera Medical Group. “We’re committed to helping people at every stage of their recovery journey, and this partnership expands access to a critical tool that saves lives.”
Emily’s Hope, a Sioux Falls–based nonprofit working to remove the stigma of substance use and addiction, is providing the free naloxone kits and will continue to keep the distribution boxes restocked. Founded by journalist Angela Kennecke after losing her daughter Emily to fentanyl poisoning, Emily’s Hope works to remove the stigma of substance use disorder through awareness, education, prevention, and treatment support.
“This partnership with Avera allows us to put life-saving naloxone directly into the hands of people across South Dakota,” said Angela Kennecke, founder of Emily’s Hope. “Every kit represents a second chance — for someone’s child, parent or friend. At Emily’s Hope, our mission is to remove the stigma around substance use disorder and prevent overdose deaths, and we’re grateful that Avera shares that commitment.”