Resources in

South Dakota

From 2020-2024 there were 357 overdose deaths in South Dakota.

If you are a person who uses drugs or if you are around people who use drugs, please consider learning how to respond to an opioid overdose and carrying naloxone (intranasal brand name: Narcan). Naloxone is a medication designed to reverse an opioid overdose. Opioids slow down the activity of the central nervous system. This can cause slowed or stopped breathing which may lead to death. Naloxone displaces the opioids from the opioid receptors in the brain which allows the person who is experiencing an opioid overdose to begin breathing normally. We have a helpful FAQ and are constantly updating it with questions from our site visitors. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, let us know.

GET NALOXONE MAILED TO YOU

If you are a person who uses drugs, have been recently released from jail or prison, or if you are a friend, family member, or partner of someone who may be at high-risk for an opioid overdose, you can have naloxone mailed to you at no cost.

Naloxone Distribution Boxes

Emily’s Hope has installed public naloxone distribution boxes in strategic locations throughout South Dakota. In partnership with the State of South Dakota, they will be adding 35 additional boxes over the next year.

These repurposed newspaper boxes are available during business hours and stocked with naloxone kits that anyone can access for free. By placing naloxone within reach, they are helping reduce barriers to this critical overdose-reversal medication.

PHARMACY-BASED NALOXONE ACCESS

A statewide standing order allows pharmacies in South Dakota to dispense naloxone without the need to get a prescription from your doctor. We suggest you call your local pharmacy and ask if they have naloxone and whether it is covered under your individual insurance plan.

South Dakota Resource hotline

Call the South Dakota Opioid Resource Hotline 1-800-920-4343 or text ‘OPIOID’ to 898211

The Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will be answered by trained crisis workers to assist in finding local resources. Texting will connect you with resources that best fit your need by answering a few questions. People may call or text for themselves or for a loved one who is struggling.

CARE Coordination support

South Dakota provides free Care Coordination to people who use drugs interested in taking steps towards recovery. Care Coordinators are trained specialists with additional training for opioid misuse and abuse support. They are especially helpful when it comes to knowing what options are available and for taking the first steps toward recovery. NEXT Distro has no experience with this service and can not confirm it provides harm reduction focused care coordination.

Drug user organizing

The National Survivors Union is a national drug users union mobilizing against the war on drugs.

Good Samaritan Law

When calling 911 to respond to an overdose, a person may not be arrested or prosecuted for drug use or possession if the following apply: 1) The person called for help for another person experiencing a drug overdose 2) The person cooperated with law enforcement and medical personnel 3) The person stayed with the person needing help until help arrived and 4) The evidence for the charge was found because the person called for help.

The person calling for help, either for themselves or others, can only receive this immunity one time.