South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley and the Mayors of Rapid City and Sioux Falls are pushing for the release of millions of dollars in opioid settlement funds. Jackley sued the drug makers, claiming they knew how addictive the painkillers are. He wants the mayors involved because they oversee treatment programs on both sides of the state. Emily’s Hope, founded by former Keloland anchor Angela Kennecke, helps people get treatment for drug addiction.
“We’ve helped 250 people go through treatment with treatment scholarships, we’ve helped thousands of students, tens of thousands of students in five states with our education curriculum,” said Kennecke.
While none of the 79 million dollars secured in the lawsuits has been promised to organizations like Emily’s Hope, the Attorney General and the Mayors made it clear they want those on the front lines of treating and preventing addiction to be involved.