Alcohol and drug-related deaths have risen dramatically in the last ten years in South Dakota causing a serious public health concern. Whether you are here to find help for yourself, or a loved one, our guide provides a comprehensive list of free addiction recovery resources in South Dakota to help you get the right information and accessible resources to find recovery.
In this guide, you’ll find key statistics about substance abuse in South Dakota, an overview of how addiction (now called substance use disorder) impacts residents in the state, and a comprehensive list of resources (including specialty resources for LGBTQIA+ individuals, veterans, students, and Native American/Alaskan Native people).
Drug Statistics in South Dakota
Recent data from the South Dakota Department of Health shows that while drug-related deaths have decreased, alcohol-related deaths have continued to increase over the last ten years. While there was a decrease in deaths between 2021 and 2022, they are still significant:
Addiction Nonprofits in South Dakota
In the following section, you’ll find a comprehensive list of addiction and recovery resources, including harm reduction information, and resources for specific groups and communities.
Face It TOGETHER
A nonprofit organization providing peer coaching and financial assistance for people living with addiction.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Information and resources for people in a mental health crisis. Visit the website to find your local chapter in South Dakota.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Mental health resources. Visit the website for support resources, recovery, and mental health information.
Opioid Texting Service
A confidential texting line providing 24/7 support, information, and resources. Text OPIOID to 898211, and enter your zip code and county for customized support.
ReNew
Located in Rapid City and Sioux Falls, this resource supports mothers in recovery, providing peer support, DV help, addiction and mental health support, employment and education support, and housing services.
Avoid Opioid Prescription Addiction:
a website dedicated to educating people about the dangers of opioids. You can call their resource hotline at 800-920-4343 to find help with transportation, treatment, behavioral healthcare, and support for loved ones. They also provide Care Coordination.
Harm Reduction Programs
AvoidOpioidSD.com
AvoidOpioidSD.com: The South Dakota Department of Health and Human Services harm reduction website with a plethora of resources for people who use opioids and other drugs, including:
- Care Coordination via the South Dakota Resource hotline: 1-800-920-4343 or text OPIOID to 898211
- Treatment Resources Hotline: Find 24/7 access to trained crisis specialists who can provide referrals, intervention, and connect those seeking treatment with the appropriate resources.
- Peer Recovery Support Services: Access peer recovery supports that utilize SAMHSA’s model of recovery. They provide advocacy, shared resources, skill building opportunities, recovery groups, mentoring, and goal setting. Peers are located in clinics, treatment agencies, and other settings.
- Overdose Education & Naloxone Distribution (OEND): Managed by the Office of Rural Health, OEND provides education, training, and supplies to first responders and medical personnel to respond to an opioid overdose with the use of naloxone (NARCAN).
- Find Naloxone: find a naloxone pharmacy on the state’s map of pharmacies carrying naloxone. Or call the hotline on 1-800-920-4343.
- DisposeRx: the public can drop off unused drugs to numerous locations throughout the state called Take-Back Sites, or use a safe at-home disposal kit. They also provide medication lock boxes.
- HIV/AIDS Prevention program: access prevention resources, testing sites, counseling, and emergency assistance through the Ryan White Part B Care Program. You’ll also find common questions and answers, fact sheets, and more.
Project Recovery
Using technology and evidence-based medicine, PR provides medication-assisted treatment and peer recovery services in the Rapid City area and via telemedicine.
Bethany Christian Services
The ReNew program provides support for new mothers impacted by opioid use disorder providing evidence-based care and case management, which includes building positive behavioral supports to promote successful recovery before and after the birth of a child.
Oxford House Inc
Find supportive low cost recovery housing and recovery services for people in OUD and SUD recovery. Funding is available from the SD Department of Social Services, to make housing accessible, reduce homelessness, and prevent relapse.
Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health Services
Noticing a lack of resources for [people with opioid use disorder Lewis & Clark expanded their resources, providing MAT, case management, peer support services via local offices and telehealth medicine.
Minnehaha County Jail
In partnership with an external medical provider and case management, the county jail provides medication-assisted treatment to individuals while incarcerated, and works to ensure care coordination and treatment services upon re-entry.
Avera Health
Providing integrated behavioral health in inpatient and outpatient settings, including the county jails. They provide referrals, coordinated care, and MAT at The Link Community Triage Center in Sioux Falls.
Center for Family Medicine
In partnership with South Dakota State University, they provide a training program for medical staff to support a weekly medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder clinic in Sioux Falls.
Harm Reduction Coalition
Promotes safer drug use through two finder tools: the Nasen website to find sterile syringes near you, and Next Distro to get naloxone by mail
Government Grants & Resources
State-approved medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
Here are currently three state-approved MAT providers in South Carolina:
Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health Services in Yankton
Project Recovery in Rapid City
Center for Family Medicine in Sioux Falls
Buprenorphine Locator
This tool helps residents to locate buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder.
Indigent Medication program
A South Dakota Department of Social Services service providing financial support for people seeing MAT.
Better Choices, Better Help SD
A free educational program for people living with chronic pain and their caregivers. You’ll also find support groups and learn skills to manage pain.
Helpline Center
A statewide database of opioid prevention, treatment, and support services in your area.
College Addiction Resources
Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE)
A directory of collegiate recovery programs (CRP/CRC) and communities across the U.S. ARHE also hosts an annual collegiate recovery conference for students and members of each CRC/CRP.
South Dakota State University
While not a specific CRP, the university has received funding for an opioid response program, providing naloxone, education, fentanyl test strips, and education and training on naloxone and distribution. They’re also working on an anti-stigma campaign and expanding access to recovery coaches.
Students Recover
A collegiate recovery resource for students attending schools that may not offer collegiate recovery programs, like minority institutions, community colleges, and trade schools. This accessible resource provides online support meetings, education, and advocacy.
Project AWARE
A SAMHSA and South Dakota Department of Education program that partners with community mental health providers to promote mental health through education and skills training.
LGBTQ+ Resources
The Trevor Project
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This helpline provides crisis, suicide, and mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth. Call 866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678-678.
Translifeline
A 24/7 peer support helpline run for trans people for trans people, providing crisis, mental health, and suicide prevention support. Call 877-565-8860.
PFLAG
Educational, advocacy, peer support for LGBTQ individuals. Search their website for your local chapter.
Sioux Falls Pride
A comprehensive list of LGBTQ-identified or affirming counselors and providers in Sioux Falls.
Call BlackLine
LGBTQ+ support including peer services, counseling, and mental health resources. BIPOC individuals are prioritized.
Veterans Programs
South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs
Providing a range of resources for veterans from mental health information and support, benefit guidance, social events, and peer support.
Make the Connection
Education, treatment referrals, and self-help tools for veterans. You can also listen to shared experiences and find peer support.
Modern Military Association of America (MMAA)
Online meetings for LGBTQIA+ veterans, and access to treatment and referral resources in South Dakota.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Information and resources for active military personnel and veterans, including mental health and addiction treatment. Visit their substance use page for more information about substance use disorders
National Center for PTSD
A leading educational resource on PTSD, which includes resources for treatment in your area.
Indigenous & Tribal Programs
South Dakota Urban Indian Health
Offers culturally competent community support, including recovery groups, talking circles, and other resources.
Strong Hearts Native Helpline
Domestic and dating violence helpline for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Women can call the line anonymously and receive culturally appropriate support.
National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
Resources for Native American women on personal safety, mental health, and domestic violence.
WeRNative
A mental health resource for Native youth. They provide advocacy, resources, and educational support.
White Bison
A nonprofit organization providing peer-led recovery resources that are culturally specific and help individuals achieve and maintain their recovery.
One Sky Center
A national resource center for Native Americans, providing education, health resources, research, and treatment referrals for mental health and substance use problems.
Drug Laws in South Dakota
Naloxone Standing Order and Naloxone Access Laws
These laws allow pharmacists to prescribe naloxone to anyone they believe is at risk of an overdose, including a family member, friend, or close third party. This includes the nasal spray (Narcan), intramuscular injection, and autoinjector (Evzio).
Syringe Possession & Distribution
Under South Dakota Codified Laws:
- Needle exchange is prohibited by law
- Delivery, possession with intent to deliver, or manufacturer with intent to distribute paraphernalia is a class 6 felony
- Syringes are considered drug paraphernalia if used, intended for use, or designed for the use of injecting controlled substances into the body
- Use of possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia is a class 2 misdemeanor
Naloxone Access Law: under sections 34-20A-104 of the South Dakota Codified laws:
- Any friend, family members or other person can possess, give out, and administer naloxone if it is lawfully acquired.
- A prescriber is lawfully allowed to prescribe naloxone to a person they believe is at risk of an overdose, including a family member, friend, or other person
- First responders and healthcare providers who gives out naloxone has immunity from civil, criminal, and disciplinary actions
- First responders operating under a standing order may possess and administer naloxone if they receive training
- First responders, and physicians issuing standing orders to first responders, are not civilly liable any outcome of administering naloxone
Sources
- South Dakota Department of Health. (2024). Substance Use Data & Reports.
- South Dakota Department of Health. (2023). Alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations. South Dakota.
- Dakota Department of Health. (2024). State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System South Dakota Data Report.
- South Dakota Department of Health. (2022).
- South Dakota Department of Social Services. (2022). Mental Health and Substance Use in South Dakota. Behavioral Health Prevalence Data Overview.