, 
Angela Kennecke stood alone on the stage in the Luverne School performing arts center Monday night to share the story of her daughter, Emily, who died at age 21 from fentanyl-laced heroin in 2018.
“I’m here as a mom whose heart is broken,” Kennecke told a diverse audience of young and old, from diverse professional and personal backgrounds.
“My only hope is that Emily’s story becomes a catalyst for change.”
She said if she asked for a show of hands from those who are affected by addiction, most would raise their hands.
“And the ones who don’t, I say they’re lying,” Kennecke said. “All of our lives are touched by addiction in some way, whether it be a family member, friend or co-worker.”
Kennecke said her daughter was smart, talented, artistic, athletic and had every opportunity to succeed, yet she became addicted.
“It’s hard to know what to do as a mom,” Kennecke said, explaining that she knew her daughter was using, but didn’t know to what extent.
At first, she tried “tough love,” but ultimately turned to just love. Showing a screen shot of her last text conversation with Emily, she said she’s glad “I love you” were her last words with her daughter.
“I continue to tell her story because it is truly a way for me to turn heartbreak into action,” Kennecke said.
“I want people to hear her story and I want people to understand addiction.”
She shared information about risk factors for addiction — like mental health and addiction go hand in hand.
And she issued a stern warning that fentanyl, in amounts as small as a few grains of salt, can be deadly, and it’s showing up in all kinds of street drugs, including meth and marijuana. So, even those who are “just experimenting” with drugs could die from it.
Throughout her talk Monday, Kennecke referred to Emily’s Hope, the non-profit she started to help people struggling with addiction get help.
Among other things, the organization helps fund treatment for those who can’t afford it, and it connects people with resources.
Following Kennecke’s talk, she was joined on stage by local professionals who work with substance abuse.
They included Sanford chemical dependency counselor Stephanie Pierce, Rock County Deputy Jeff Stratton, New Life Treatment Center director Scott Radloff and New Life Treatment Center counselor Taylor Toben.
Kennecke and the panel answered questions from the audience and shared information about local resources for individuals and families dealing with addiction.
While Kennecke was live in Luverne, the evening was livestreamed at the Worthington Memorial Auditorium and the Minnesota West Pipestone Campus.
Monday’s event was organized as a partnership project with Southwest Health and Human Services, #Luv1LuvAll, Southwest Minnesota Opportunity Council, Prime West Health, Minnesota West Pipestone-Worthington Campuses, Worthington Memorial Auditorium, Luverne High School and Project Morningstar.