"As a journalist, I could use my stories to make a difference," Angela Kennecke tells People. "But with Emily's Hope, I can save lives."
Kennecke founded the nonprofit in memory of her daughter, Emily Groth, who died of a fentanyl overdose in 2018 at the age of 22.
Now, with a grant from the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, Emily's Hope is introducing a prevention education curriculum designed for elementary students.
It includes lessons on the science, social, and health aspects of substance use; guidance for dealing with difficult emotions; and information to support the entire family's wellness.
Nine school districts in South Dakota and western Minnesota are piloting the curriculum at the third grade level.
"There are a lot of prevention programs out there for kids in middle school and high school and those are important," Kennecke says.
"But I think they're too late if we're not talking to kids at a younger age about these things.
Because when kids know how substances can adversely affect their brains, they'll be more likely to protect themselves."
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