Federal grant to help combat South Dakota's opioid epidemic

Mark Walker
Argus Leader
The opioid overdose antidote naloxone on display to the left of bottles of the prescription painkillers morphine, oxycodone and hydrocodone at Hy-Vee on South Minnesota Avenue in Sioux Falls on Jan. 23, 2017

South Dakota is getting help to train first responders on how to use an opioid overdose medication and expand access for addiction treatment services.

The U.S. Health and Human Services issued grants to states across the country to help fight the nation's growing opioid epidemic.

The South Dakota Department of Social Services was awarded $2 million to help fight the epidemic that has killed more than 180 South Dakotans in the last five years.

“Nationally, states have seen significant increases in opioid use. While South Dakota’s rate remains low, we have seen an increase in use,” said Lynne Valenti, South Dakota Department of Social Services Secretary. “This grant will provide additional resources in prevention services and treatment with the goal to reverse this trend.”

Opioids, which include prescription painkillers and heroin, have contributed to 65 deaths in South Dakota in 2015, according to the Center of Disease Control.

The state’s numbers are among the lowest in the nation, but the move to secure the money reflects growing concerns about the drug epidemic reaching the state.

Some of the overdose deaths in South Dakota have been heroin-related.

A portion of the new money will be used to provide more emergency responders with naloxone, or NARCAN, a drug that can reverse the effects of an overdose.

More:Hy-Vee latest pharmacy to sell overdose drug without prescription

Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead’s deputies are outfitted with the drug and receive basic emergency medical training. Milstead said even he keeps a box in his car. He said he could recall at least two instances in which a deputy had to use the drug while responding to a call.

Milstead said he thinks there were nine opioid-related overdose deaths last year and NARCAN could help. 

"We know heroin is now here," Milstead said. "And whether it's heroin or prescription opioids that are being abused, that opioid overdose possibility has greatly increased in South Dakota."

The Attorney General’s Office sponsored legislation in 2015 that would enable all first-responders to carry naloxone. Sara Rabern, spokeswoman for the Attorney General’s Office, said the Division of Criminal Investigation has received training, but didn’t know if every law enforcement agency in the state also took part in the training.

The new money will also be used to expand access to treatment both in-person and through telehealth and provide additional training to physicians and drug prescribers.

More:Overdose call leads authorities to marijuana growth

Minnehaha County Medical Director Dr. Jeff Luther said one of the most discussed topics in the medical community is finding ways to address the opioid epidemic. Luther said last month alone he reviewed three incidents where emergency responders had to administer NARCAN.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to get a lifesaving drug out there,” Luther said. “This epidemic of drug use has impacted communities all across the country.”

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