WAGNER, S.D. – 12/18/2025 – Emily’s Hope, in collaboration with Wagner Communities That Care and Buche Foods, has installed a new free naloxone distribution box at Buche Foods in Wagner, expanding access to lifesaving overdose reversal medication in the community.
The naloxone box is available to the public inside the Buche Foods store. It provides immediate access to naloxone for family members, friends, and bystanders who may encounter an opioid overdose. The installation builds on Emily’s Hope’s ongoing partnership with Buche Foods, which is committed to supporting public health and safety in the communities it serves.
“We are honored to help our friends and neighbors,” said R.F. Buche, president of G.F. Buche Co. “Too many lives have been lost to overdose, and we support Emily’s Hope’s efforts to save lives.”
Naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, is a medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose by restoring breathing. It is safe, easy to administer, and effective even without medical training. As fentanyl continues to drive overdose deaths across South Dakota, access to naloxone remains a critical prevention strategy.
“Every naloxone box we place represents a chance to save a life,” said Angela Kennecke, founder of Emily’s Hope. “By putting naloxone in everyday, trusted locations like Buche Foods, we are removing barriers and empowering people to act in a moment when seconds truly matter.”
Local organizer and community advocate Connie Kaufman emphasized the importance of community-based prevention.
“Empowering our community with access to naloxone is not just harm reduction — it is a commitment to saving lives, showing compassion, and offering second chances,” said Kaufman, coordinator for Wagner Communities That Care.
Emily’s Hope encourages community members to take a free naloxone kit and carry it with them at all times because anyone can save a life.
A full list of Emily’s Hope naloxone distribution box locations is available at emilyshope.charity/find-narcan.
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 Wagner Communities That Care
Wagner Communities That Care (CTC) is a youth prevention coalition in Wagner. The coalition’s vision is to serve a resilient community that invests in youth through education in order to motivate, empower and persevere. Wagner CTC developed and uses a strategic community prevention plan to address the community’s profile of risk and protection with effective programs.
For more information, please visit https://www.wagnerctc.org/