SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – March 19th, 2026 – Emily’s Hope is partnering with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office to expand access to naloxone across Kansas through an innovative statewide distribution program designed to save lives and raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl.
The initiative, launched by Attorney General Kris Kobach, responds to the growing fentanyl crisis that has already claimed the lives of over 2,000 Kansans. Fentanyl is increasingly found in counterfeit pills and other substances, meaning individuals may unknowingly consume it. Because overdoses can happen anywhere and at any time, rapid access to naloxone can mean the difference between life and death.
Through the partnership, Emily’s Hope has developed naloxone distribution boxes created from repurposed newspaper stands. Each box contains naloxone kits with two doses of the life-saving medication and is placed in highly visible, temperature-controlled locations where students and community members can quickly access them in an emergency.
To maximize access, the program is launching at colleges and universities across the state, with the goal of reaching more than 40 campuses. Initial locations include institutions such as the University of Kansas, University of Kansas Medical Center, Wichita State University, Kansas State University, Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State University, and Butler Community College, with additional campuses continuing to join the program. See the full list here.
Participating institutions host the boxes in central campus locations such as student unions, health centers, and academic buildings to ensure they are easily accessible.
“Fentanyl is devastating Kansas families, and my office is working to fight fentanyl in a variety of ways. We stepped up enforcement with the Joint Fentanyl Impact team that targets drug traffickers. We’ve launched public service campaigns for prevention education, and encouraged lawmakers to pass stronger penalties for drug dealers. This partnership with Emily’s Hope takes that fight directly to college campuses by placing life-saving naloxone distribution boxes in accessible locations, giving students and communities the tools they need to reverse overdoses and save lives when every second counts.”
Emily’s Hope was founded in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to remove the stigma surrounding substance use disorder through awareness, education, and prevention; and removing financial barriers for treatment and recovery. Since its founding, the organization has expanded its programs to reach communities across the country, supporting families and individuals affected by substance use disorder through awareness campaigns, prevention initiatives, including its K-12 evidence-based prevention education curriculum, and access to life-saving tools like naloxone.
“Expanding access to naloxone is one of the most immediate ways we can save lives,” said Angela Kennecke, founder and president of Emily’s Hope. “By placing these boxes in locations where students and community members gather every day, we are making sure that life-saving medication is within reach when it matters most.”
Each host site receives ongoing support from the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, including refills and assistance as needed. The statewide effort reflects a growing recognition that communities must work together to address the fentanyl crisis through prevention, education, and life-saving tools.
“Programs like this are about empowering communities with the resources they need to act quickly in an emergency,” Kennecke said. “Every naloxone kit distributed represents the potential to save a life.”
Additional campus locations will continue to be added as the program expands throughout Kansas.
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.