A collaboration between UW Health and the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is ensuring that every automated external defibrillator, or AED, storage cabinet in district buildings will also carry the opioid-overdose-reversing drug naloxone, according to a recent press release.
UW Health received grant funds from Dane County in 2023 to supply the drug and purchased it through the UW Health pharmacy, according to Tom Carroll, program director–behavioral health services at UW Health.
District buildings are used by many in the community, and many of Madison’s recreational centers for adult sports are also part of the school district, so having life-saving medication on hand is being prioritized as a public health measure.
The district has 90 AED boxes distributed throughout 50 buildings, which includes Madison School & Community Recreation locations. The drug will be refilled after each use through existing community partnerships.
