SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – South Dakota leaders met on Friday in Sioux Falls to talk about the growing issue of fentanyl.
This was a large and open discussion amongst public safety officials, tribal leaders, and families affected by fentanyl, hoping to gain some ground on a moving target.
Representative Dusty Johnson said bringing people to the table is needed more than ever in the country.
“Clearly talking about the problem is important but we wanted to come away with an action plan which we did, in this room we built a 9-step action plan to address all aspects of this, it was amazing, people from the crowd were offering some valuable thoughts, we need action,” Johnson said.
Angela Kennecke, the founder of Emily’s Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the fentanyl issue, said that education is needed for kids of all ages.
“There were preschoolers in California last week who got fentanyl gummies and had to be treated for them, at a daycare, so this is everywhere it’s affecting everybody,” Kennecke said.