Emily’s Hope has been awarded a $100,000 Beyond Idea Grant from the South Dakota Community Foundation to launch a new statewide awareness campaign called Facing Fentanyl: Empowering South Dakota Families Through Awareness.
The campaign will educate South Dakota students and parents about the dangers of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl and provide families with practical tools to help prevent overdose deaths. The project will reach an estimated 50,000 or more students, parents, and educators across the state.
South Dakota was one of only two states to see an increase in overdose deaths in 2024, with fentanyl responsible for the majority of those deaths. Many young people encounter drugs without realizing how lethal fentanyl is, especially when it is hidden in counterfeit pills that look like prescription medications.
“Too many families still don’t realize how common and deadly fake pills are,” said Angela Kennecke, founder and CEO of Emily’s Hope. “This grant allows us to reach families before tragedy strikes, with clear, honest information that can truly save lives.”