Rapid City, S.D. – On Thursday morning, The Monument became a hub for education as Emily’s Hope presented Emily’s Pledge: A Fentanyl Awareness Assembly for local high‑school students, parents and community members. The assembly began at 9 a.m. and featured three speakers who shared personal experiences, law‑enforcement insight and practical resources to help families recognize and avoid the deadly risks of counterfeit pills that may contain fentanyl.
Why the assembly matters
South Dakota has seen a rise in overdose deaths at a time when the nation overall has experienced a decline. Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, now accounts for the majority of overdose fatalities in the state. Because counterfeit pills often resemble legitimate prescription medications, many users are unaware they are ingesting fentanyl, leading to accidental overdoses.
Speakers share personal loss and professional expertise
Angela Kennecke, founder of Emily’s Hope, opened the program by recounting the tragic loss of her daughter, Emily, to fentanyl poisoning. Kennecke founded the organization in 2019 with the mission to prevent similar tragedies through education, prevention and community outreach.
Special Agent Jake Whittle of the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation spoke next. With more than a decade of experience and a background in the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, Whittle has trained over 4,000 officers and community volunteers to identify illicit substances, including fentanyl‑laden counterfeit pills. He emphasized the importance of vigilance and rapid response when a suspected overdose occurs.
Finally, Tawa Ducheneaux, a Cherokee Nation citizen and executive director of the Chatku Arts Center, shared the heart‑breaking story of losing her son to an overdose. Ducheneaux, who has spent over 20 years preserving Indigenous culture through Oglala Lakota College, highlighted the impact of drug abuse on families and the need for culturally sensitive prevention efforts.
Resources for families and schools
Emily’s Hope’s statewide campaign, supported by a Beyond Idea Grant from the South Dakota Community Foundation, aims to equip students, parents and educators with clear information about the signs of fentanyl exposure, how to respond to an overdose, and where to find help. Attendees received printed guides, contact numbers for local treatment centers, and instructions on using naloxone, the life‑saving opioid reversal medication.
Community response
Local leaders praised the assembly as a vital step toward safeguarding the health of Rapid City’s youth. Parents expressed gratitude for the candid discussion, noting that many families were previously unaware of how easily counterfeit pills could enter households. School officials indicated they will incorporate the provided materials into health‑class curricula and encourage ongoing dialogue about substance‑abuse prevention.
Looking ahead
Emily’s Hope plans to expand the assembly model to additional schools across South Dakota, leveraging the momentum generated by this inaugural event. The organization invites community members to volunteer, donate, or spread the word about upcoming sessions. More information about the campaign and future events can be found at emilyspledge.org.
By bringing together personal testimony, law‑enforcement expertise and culturally aware advocacy, the assembly underscored the power of community education in combating the fentanyl crisis and protecting families throughout the Black Hills region.
Original reporting: KOTA (Gray) – local — read the source article.
