The South Dakota Community Foundation has awarded Emily’s Hope with a $100,000 Beyond Idea Grant to launch a new statewide awareness campaign.
In 2024, South Dakota saw an increase in overdose deaths, primarily due to fentanyl.
The new campaign, Facing Fentanyl: Empowering South Dakota Families Through Awareness, is projected to impact over 50,000 students, parents, and educators statewide, and aims to educate South Dakota students and parents about the dangers of fake pills that may be laced with fentanyl.
The project will also provide families with practical tools to help prevent overdose deaths.
“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.”
The Facing Fentanyl campaign will produce six public service announcements and short videos for youth and parents, distribute Fentanyl Awareness Toolkits, and run targeted social media campaigns.
It will also include presentations at schools and community events in South Dakota, enhance Emily’s Hope’s online educational hub for mobile use, and implement evaluation tools to measure impact and improve messaging.