July 24, 2025:
Capital Area Counseling Service in Pierre and the Sioux Falls-based Emily’s Hope organization are celebrating the ongoing success of the first Naloxone Box made available in central South Dakota.
The initiative aims to reduce overdose deaths by providing free access to naloxone, the opioid overdose-reversing medication often known by the brand name Narcan.
Since the naloxone box installation at Capital Area Counseling Service in Pierre in December 2024, CACS has provided the funding for both the naloxone box and its refill kits. Each kit includes naloxone, gloves, instructions on how to administer the medication and information on how to seek further help. Anyone can take a kit, no questions asked.
“We installed a naloxone box in central South Dakota to make sure life-saving help is available when it’s needed most. In rural areas like Pierre, having naloxone nearby can mean the difference between life and death,” said Jana Boocock, Prevention Services Coordinator, Capital Area Counseling Service. “We also hope it sends a message: that substance use and mental health challenges are part of real life, and no one should feel ashamed to ask for help. By making resources visible and accessible, we’re working to reduce the stigma and let people know they’re not alone.”
“Not only has the implementation of the naloxone box at CACS been accessed by our clients, but also by the larger community. Word is spreading that naloxone is now easily and conveniently available to anyone who may need or want to have it on hand,” said Kristin Meyers, Substance Use Disorder Clinical Supervisor, Capital Area Counseling Service.
For more information or to support the Naloxone Box program, visit www.emilyshope.charity.
The Naloxone Box is part of Emily’s Hope’s broader mission to fight the opioid crisis through education, recovery support, and harm reduction. This partnership with CACS reflects a shared commitment to saving lives and meeting people where they are, especially those at highest risk of overdose.
“We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with Capital Area Counseling Service and their unwavering commitment to harm reduction. Their support in funding and maintaining the Naloxone Box in Pierre ensures that this life-saving medication is available around the clock. Together, we’re not only making a difference, we’re sending a powerful message that every life matters and that help should never be out of reach,” said Angela Kennecke, Founder, Emily’s Hope.
Ongoing Efforts:
Since placing the box in Pierre, Emily’s Hope has partnered with the State of South Dakota to distribute 40,000 doses of naloxone across South Dakota. Moving forward, these kits will be used to help restock the CACS naloxone box.
To date, Emily’s Hope has distributed more than 13,828 doses of naloxone across South Dakota. The Pierre location stands as a powerful example of how access, compassion, and community collaboration can change—and save—lives.
Current Naloxone Box locations
● Pierre
○ Capital Area Counseling Service – 2001 Eastgate Ave
● Sioux Falls:
○ Jones421 Market – 421 N Phillips Ave
○ Falls Community Health – 521 N Main Ave
○ Tires, Tires, Tires – 2317 S Minnesota Ave
○ Tires, Tires, Tires – 1720 S St Michaels Cir
○ Face It Together – 5020 S. Tennis Lane #4
○ Sanford Health Emergency Department – 1305 W 18th St
○ Sanford Health Main Entrance – 1305 W 18th St
○ Denny Sanford Premier Center – 1021 N W Ave
● Watertown:
○ Prairie Lakes Hospital – 401 9th Ave NW Building A
○ Watertown Regional Library – 160 6th St NE
○ Quick Care – 1056 29th St SE (opening soon)
● Rapid City:
○ Project Recovery – 625 Flormann St
○ Fork Real Cafe – 507 Main St (opening soon)
● Vermillion:
○ Pump ‘n Pak – 629 Stanford St
● Mitchell:
○ Shell Station – 1524 W. Havens Avenue
● Sisseton:
○ Buche Foods – 2410 SD HWY 10
○ Dakota Connection Casino – 46102 SD Hwy 10 (opening soon)
● Pine Ridge:
○ Buche Foods – 560 S 1st Street
○ Oglala Sioux Tribe Building – 102 E Main St (opening soon)
● Kyle:
○ Oyate Teca Project – 39 Wakpala Rd (opening soon)
● Mission:
○ Buche Foods – HWY 18/643 2nd St
● Sturgis:
○ The Armory – 1041 Junction Ave (open during Sturgis Rally; to relocate afterwards)
Why Naloxone Access Matters
Naloxone is a safe and effective opioid antagonist that can reverse an overdose within minutes. It does not harm individuals who are not experiencing an overdose, making it a vital safety tool for widespread public use.
As Emily’s Hope expands this life-saving initiative, the organization encourages all South Dakotans to carry naloxone and be prepared to save a life.
For more information or to request naloxone kits for your organization, visit https://emilyshope.charity/our-impact/life-saving-tools/ or contact: https://emilyshope.charity/our-impact/life-saving-tools/new-naloxone-box/.
April 18, 2025:
Capital Area Counseling Service in Pierre one of 8 statewide locations for free naloxone box program from Emily’s Hope
Capital Area Counseling Service in Pierre has partnered with the “Emily’s Hope” organization to provide access to a medication that could save someone’s life after an opioid overdose.
The naloxone box initiative provides free, public access to the opioid overdose-reversing medication, often known by the brand name Narcan. Each box contains doses of naloxone along with gloves, a face shield, information on how to use it and information on where to get help. Anyone can take a kit— no questions asked.
Emily’s Hope founder Angela Kennecke (ken-a-key) says to date, the initiative has distributed more than 6,000 doses of Narcan throughout the region. She says naloxone is a safe and effective opioid antagonist that can reverse an overdose within minutes.
Kennecke says naloxone doesn’t harm individuals who are not experiencing an overdose, making it a versatile safety tool for public use. She encourages all South Dakotans to carry Narcan and be prepared to save a life.
For more information or to request naloxone kits for your organization, go to:
Named after her daughter that died of a fentanyl overdose, Kennecke also hopes the initiative prompts conversations and proactive steps that aid in the eventual elimination of the stigma surrounding substance use disorders.
For more information or to support the naloxone box program, visit www.emilyshope.charity.
Current locations are below.
Pierre:
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Capital Area Counseling Service – 2001 Eastgate Ave
Sioux Falls:
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Jones421 Market – 421 N Phillips Ave
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Falls Community Health – 521 N Main Ave
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Tires, Tires, Tires – 2317 S Minnesota Ave
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Tires, Tires, Tires – 1720 S St Michaels Cir
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Face It Together – 5020 S. Tennis Lane #4
Rapid City:
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Project Recovery – 625 Flormann St
Vermillion:
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Pump ‘n Pak – 629 Stanford St
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