PIERRE, S.D. – On Aug 16th, Governor Kristi Noem ordered that flags be flown at half-staff statewide from sunrise until sunset on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, for National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day.

“For too long, drug addiction has robbed people of hope and a reason to go on. Fentanyl has made this crisis worse than ever, creating seemingly unstoppable addiction with overdose far too easy and too common,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “South Dakota will continue doing our part to stop those behind this chemical assault on our nation: the drug cartels and the Chinese Communist Party.”

According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control, South Dakota has the fewest annual overdose deaths per-capita of any state.

“We won’t settle for a mere decrease in overdose deaths – we don’t say ‘good enough’ in South Dakota. We will continue to raise awareness of this crisis and provide resources to those that are struggling,” continued Governor Noem.

For assistance with addiction and substance abuse, visit the SD Behavioral Health website.