BROOKINGS, S.D. – November 18,2025 – Emily’s Hope, in partnership with Let’s Be Clear, is proud to announce the installation of a new community-access naloxone distribution box at Brookings Health System’s emergency entrance. This life-saving initiative expands access to naloxone across South Dakota and supports the mission to prevent opioid overdose deaths.
Naloxone, also known as Narcan®, can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, helping restore normal breathing and potentially saving a life. Access to naloxone is critical because opioid emergencies can happen to anyone. It could be a teenager experimenting with friends, a senior accidentally taking an extra dose of prescription medication, an infant accessing a medicine cabinet, or someone whose drink was unknowingly spiked.
“The risks associated with opioid overdoses are real, and community access to naloxone can mean the difference between life and death,” said Angela Kennecke, Founder and CEO of Emily’s Hope. “This new distribution box at Brookings Health System ensures that residents have free, 24/7 access to this life-saving medication and supports our shared mission to stop stigma and save lives.”
The Brookings Health System box is stocked with free doses of naloxone and is available to anyone in the community. In addition to this new box, Emily’s Hope has successfully placed multiple community-access naloxone boxes across South Dakota, resulting in several confirmed overdose reversals.
“Participating in Emily’s Hope Naloxone Program aligns with Brookings Health System’s mission to provide high-quality, compassionate health care to our community,” said Emergency Department Director Karen Weber, RN. “By hosting the box, we are granting people in our region who cannot afford naloxone free access to lifesaving medication without fear of stigma or shame.”
For more information about the Emily’s Hope Naloxone Program, visit: https://emilyshope.charity/our-impact/life-saving-tools/
Businesses (non-government entities) may request a naloxone kit to have on hand in case of an emergency. We encourage businesses to place their kit near an AED or inside their first-aid kit and to inform employees of its location in the event of an emergency.
Request a kit here: https://airtable.com/appPcDgbujBiTblWD/pagzmlYivGm7KI8ov/form
About Emily’s Hope
Emily’s Hope is a nonprofit organization working to eliminate the stigma surrounding substance use disorder and to save lives through evidence-informed education, compassionate support, and financial assistance for recovery. Founded by award-winning journalist Angela Kennecke after the tragic overdose death of her daughter Emily, the organization has become a national voice for prevention and hope. Emily’s Hope offers a K–12 substance use prevention curriculum used across the country, the Grieving Out Loud podcast, and on-the-ground initiatives such as naloxone distribution, a Post-Overdose Response Team, and a Youth Prevention Coalition in South Dakota. The organization also provides treatment scholarships to help individuals access care. Learn more about Emily’s Hope at emilyshope.charity.
For additional media information, please visit emilyshope.charity/media.
About Brookings Health System
Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home, Brookhaven Estates senior living apartments, Yorkshire Eye Clinic & Optical, and medical clinics in Arlington, White and Volga, South Dakota. It is a non-profit, municipal health system that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency and extended care services. Brookings Hospital provides local access to doctors in Brookings and offers robotic da Vinci surgery and Mako robotic-arm assisted procedures, making it one of the premier rural community hospitals in South Dakota. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.
About Let’s Be Clear
Let’s Be Clear is a South Dakota-based coalition focused on promoting substance use prevention and supporting community wellness through education, advocacy, and collaboration. Learn more at letsbeclearsd.com.
PHOTO: Members from the Brookings community and Emily’s Hope gathered on Nov. 18 to commemorate the installation of a new community access naloxone distribution box at Brookings Health System’s emergency entrance. Pictured from left are Brookings Health System Pharmacy Director Steve Timmerman, Brookings County Assistant Sheriff Dave Biteler, Brookings Health System Chief Nursing Officer Tammy Hillestad, RN, Brookings Health System Emergency Department Director Karen Weber, RN, Founder and CEO of Emily’s Hope Angela Kennecke, Emily’s Hope Program Coordinator Marley Miller and Emily’s Hope Post Overdose Response Team Program Manager Diana Leal. Access to naloxone prevents opioid overdose deaths. The box is stocked with free doses of naloxone and is available to anyone.