Dane County deploys new harm reduction vending machines in the community
April 08, 2025
Andrew Beckett, (608) 628-8075
Emergency Management
Contact:
Dane County – Andrew Beckett – beckett.andrew@danecounty.gov – 608-628-8075
SSM Health – Shari Wrezinski – ShariLynn@ssmhealth.com – 715-379-4019
UW Health – Andrew Hellpap – Ahellpap@uwhealth.org – 608-225-5024
MADISON, Wis. – When a drug overdose occurs, having quick access to life-saving medications could make the difference between life and death.
A new effort by Dane County, SSM Health, UW Health, UW–Madison, and other partners will help increase access to naloxone and other items that can help prevent or treat a potentially fatal overdose with the placement of harm reduction vending machines outside two hospitals in the community.
“Dane County is committed to saving lives and addressing the opioid epidemic with compassion, urgency, and evidence-based solutions,” said Dane County Executive Melissa Agard. “These new harm reduction vending machines reflect our dedication to meeting people where they are, breaking down barriers to care, and giving our community the tools it needs to prevent overdose deaths. By placing these resources directly in the community, we’re increasing access to life-saving materials and helping ensure that no one is alone in this crisis.”
The machines, which offer supplies at no cost, are stocked with items that include doses of naloxone (nasal spray and injection), fentanyl test strips, xylazine test strips, menstrual kits, and other harm reduction materials. They are located in Madison outside of SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital at the corner of S. Park St. and Erin St., and the UW Health University Hospital emergency department at 600 Highland Ave.
“The sites for the machines were carefully selected to ensure people will be able to easily access them,” said Dane County Emergency Management (DCEM) Director Charles Tubbs. “These items are also available for free, in order to remove the financial hurdles that could stop someone from seeking them out.”
A review of overdose deaths in Dane County from 2020, led by Public Health Madison & Dane County, found 45% of people who died from an overdose had an emergency department visit within the year before their fatal overdose. Of those visits, 24% were for a non-fatal overdose and 34% occurred within 30 days of them dying.
“Introducing the harm reduction vending machine at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital is a vital step in our ongoing commitment to community health and safety,” said Dr. Kacey Kronenfeld, EMS Medical Director SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital. “This initiative reinforces our commitment to combating the opioid crisis by providing Narcan conveniently and discreetly, saving lives. Together, we can make a significant impact and foster a safer environment for everyone.”
This effort show partnerships like this can make a positive impact in the community, according to Dr. Michael Mancera, emergency medicine physician, UW Health, and associate professor of medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
“These easily accessible harm reduction vending machines can reduce the stigma and barriers faced by people who use drugs to help them, and their loved ones, gain immediate access to resources,” he said.
Dane County Emergency Management analyzed data provided by similar vending machine programs, along with ambulance run reports, to identify the types of harm reduction materials that would be most beneficial to the community. The department also applied for a grant administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services using opioid settlement funds to support the purchase of the machines and several of the items included in them.
The machines will be monitored and restocked by DCEM staff, in partnership with Public Health Madison & Dane County.