Emily’s Hope founder Angela Kennecke joined the city of Sturgis’ daily police briefing Aug. 7 in City Hall.
In partnership with the Action for the Betterment of Communities, Kennecke said the nonprofit will be handing out free Naloxone (Narcan) kits, which can reverse an opioid overdose, for the duration of the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
They’ve given out 600 boxes so far and were told the kits have already been used three times this week, Kennecke said.
Two fatalities at last year’s rally were from overdoses, Kennecke said. This year, a permanent box of free kits will be at Monument Health’s Sturgis clinic.
“It doesn’t hurt children, and it doesn’t hurt people who don’t need it,” Kennecke said. “But it can save a life,”
Last April, Emily’s Hope partnered with the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office, and the state’s social services and health departments to distribute 20,000 free boxes statewide.
“You don’t have to be a drug user to carry one of these,” she said Aug. 7. “We would love to see all citizens carry them, like a safety tool to have on hand, even for someone around you who could overdose.”
Meade County Sheriff Pat West says drug use has been higher this year than last.