Providing Hope After Overdose
HURON, S.D. – In a continued effort to save lives and strengthen community support for individuals impacted by substance use disorder, Emily’s Hope announced today the expansion of its Post-Overdose Response Team (PORT) into Beadle County. This expansion will ensure that every person who survives an overdose in the Huron area has rapid, compassionate, and evidence-based support from the moment they return home.
“Huron Regional Medical Center is proud to partner in the expansion of services that will bring a Post-Overdose Response Team to the Huron community. This resource represents an important step in connecting individuals and families affected by substance use with timely support, recovery services, and community-based resources. We are encouraged by this collaborative effort and its potential to improve health outcomes, strengthen recovery opportunities, and enhance the well-being of those we serve,” said Amy Goergen, Vice President of Patient Services at Huron Regional Medical Center.
The PORT model pairs trained peer support specialists with public health and public safety partners to initiate immediate outreach to overdose survivors. These specialists meet survivors where they are—whether in the hospital, at home, or in the community—offering non-judgmental support, guidance, and resources tailored to their needs. Services include free naloxone and training, help connecting to treatment, assistance navigating medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) refills ordered by a physician, and ongoing follow-up for up to one year. All services are free, confidential, and require no commitment.
“We recently entered the third year of our PORT program, and we continue to see just how powerful it is when compassion meets timely support,” said Angela Kennecke, founder of Emily’s Hope. “Every survivor deserves someone who shows up for them without judgment and with real solutions. Expanding into Beadle County means more lives reached, more families supported, and more opportunities for recovery.”
“The moments after an overdose can feel overwhelming and disorienting,” said Diana Leal, Program Manager for PORT at Emily’s Hope. “People often don’t know where to turn or what options actually exist. Nobody should face that fear alone. Everyone deserves support, dignity, and a real chance at recovery.”
The expansion into Beadle County was made possible through the support of the South Dakota Department of Social Services, Division of Behavioral Health. With this partnership, PORT will be able to bridge critical gaps in care and connect more individuals to treatment and long-term recovery resources.
“It’s my responsibility and it’s a privilege to stand in front of somebody and be that person for them,” said Vanessa, Peer Support Specialist for Emily’s Hope.
The Emily’s Hope Post-Overdose Response Team currently serves eight counties and will begin offering services in Beadle County on July 16th, 2026, with outreach available to residents across the county.
For more information about the Post-Overdose Response Team or to refer yourself or a loved one, contact Diana Leal at diana@emilyshope.charity or visit our website at www.emilyshope.charity/port.
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.