Dane County, SSM Health, UW Health and several other community health partners unveiled two harm reduction vending machines on April 8 as part of a greater program to provide accessible drug overdose medications.
Similar to other vending machines, these units are stocked and dispense naloxone, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, menstrual products and more for free.
The vending machines, located at St. Mary’s Hospital and UW Health Hospital, offer a wide range of supplies, but their most critical function is combating fatal overdoses — a growing public health concern in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin has seen a steady increase in drug overdose deaths over the past decade, with opioids ranked as the third-leading contributor. 2021 saw a spike in synthetic opioid usage.
That year marked the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in Dane County, 166 total, according to Julia Olsen, a supervisor at Public Health Madison & Dane County. Olsen oversees the agency’s substance use prevention and harm reduction team.
“Since then, we have been seeing overdose deaths start to trend down,” Olsen told The Daily Cardinal.
These vending machines offer 24/7 access to life-saving supplies and are accessible for individuals who may not typically seek traditional care or health care services.
While the machines are not designed to provide long-term treatment or recovery services, they play a critical role in addressing immediate safety needs and reducing harm, Olsen said.
“These machines are meant to meet people’s immediate health needs, like hygiene and access to food or behavioral health resources,” Olsen said.
The vending machines do not track individuals who use them in an effort to protect user privacy and avoid creating or furthering any stigmas, Olsen said.
”One of our next priorities is helping EMS follow up with individuals who receive medication-assisted treatment in the field," said Olsen."We want to ensure they’re connected to long-term support and prescribers who can continue their care."
