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Opioid Overdose Reversal Medication Available in AED Boxes Across UMD Campus

By Maryland Today Staff

Naloxone, a lifesaving opioid overdose reversal medication, is now available in all 150 automated external defibrillator (AED) boxes in public buildings across the University of Maryland campus, UMD officials announced.

The University Health Center donated the naloxone through its Overdose Response Program, a partnership with the Maryland Department of Health to increase Marylanders’ access to substance use harm reduction supplies and prevent overdose deaths.

Naloxone is a critical tool in preventing opioid overdose deaths. Its benefits are widely documented: It’s safe for children and pregnant people, there is no risk of addiction, and side effects are rare and minimal.

Anyone in the community can access the contents of the AED boxes. Most AED boxes are unalarmed, meaning that opening the door does not alert EMTs.

"Expanding the accessibility of naloxone to this degree on our campus is a major step forward in our efforts to prevent opioid overdose deaths at the University of Maryland,” said Madeleine Moore, substance use and harm reduction coordinator in the University Health Center. “Additionally, the increased visibility of naloxone throughout so many different public spaces serves our mission of destigmatizing substance use-focused resources, which is critical since we know that stigma is one of the biggest barriers people experiencing substance use challenges face in seeking support."

The University Health Center’s Overdose Response Program has multiple channels for UMD

community members to access naloxone free of charge:

  • Overdose Response Training: A one-hour session covers signs of an overdose, how to respond to an overdose, law and policy facts, caring for yourself after trauma, campus resources, and more. All training participants will be provided with naloxone upon training completion.

  • Harm Reduction Tabling Program: Naloxone and other harm reduction resources are distributed at various high-traffic areas across campus.

  • Health Center Pharmacy: People who request naloxone there and complete a brief training can receive it during normal business hours.

Additionally, naloxone is available for purchase 24/7 in the Wellness Vending Machine at the North Campus Market.

Maryland Today is produced by the Office of Marketing and Communications for the University of Maryland community on weekdays during the academic year, except for university holidays.