Syringe Service Programs (SSPs)

Medium

SSP

Medium

Syringe services programs, often called SSPs, are community-based prevention programs that can provide a range of services. SSPs are a harm reduction intervention that have been in existence since the late 1980s and have been scientifically proven to reduce transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and C and other bloodborne pathogens in person who inject drugs (PWID). SSPs provide a safe space to those struggling with substance use disorder. Services available at SSPs can include linkage to substance use disorder treatment; access to and disposal of sterile syringes and injection equipment; and vaccination, testing and linkage to care and treatment for infectious diseases. SSPs protect the public and first responders by facilitating the safe disposal of used needles and syringes. Providing testing, counseling, and sterile injection supplies also reduces the transmission of and prevents outbreaks of viral hepatitis, HIV and other infections. Nearly thirty years of research shows that comprehensive SSPs are safe, effective, cost saving, and do not increase illegal drug use or crime.

Medium

SSPs in North Dakota

There are five authorized SSPs in North Dakota. These programs are:

Any Positive Change (APC) Project; Grand Forks, ND
Harm Reduction Center; Fargo, ND
Mandan Good Neighbor Project; Mandan, ND
Minot Good Neighbor Project; Minot, ND
The ROPES Project; Valley City, ND

SSPs in North Dakota

SSPs in ND

Medium

Syringe Service Program Biannual Reports

North Dakota Century Code 23-01-44 requires Syringe Service Programs authorized by NDHHS to report on the status of programs biannually. Information reported includes basic demographics of participants and service utilization information. Below are the available reports by reporting period.

History of SSP Legislation in North Dakota

2017 Legislative Session

Syringe service programs became legal in the state of North Dakota for communities who are deemed at risk for increase of HIV and viral hepatitis with the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 2320 during the 2017 Legislative Session. SB 2320 created and enacted two additions to the North Dakota Century Code (NDCC). The first addition to the NDCC adds a new subsection to section 19-03.4-02. This new subsection created and enacted an addition that provides clarification to the court and law enforcement about determining whether an object is drug paraphernalia. The subsection adds “whether the object is a needle or syringe collected during the operation of a needle exchange program under chapter 23–01-44 to aid in the prevention of bloodborne diseases” to the list of considerations. This addition grants the consideration to law enforcement on whether to subject needles collected under an exchange as drug paraphernalia. By working with local law enforcement, SSPs can legally collect injection equipment without the risk of penalty for possession of drug paraphernalia.

The second addition to the NDCC adds a new section to chapter 23-01-44 that authorizes or legitimizes SSPs in North Dakota given appropriate authorization as a qualified entity. The addition also clarifies that the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) will be the final authorizing agency to request or deny a local entity or organization the authority to operate an SSP and will perform ongoing assessment of the programs for adherence to requirements of the statue. This document will serve as guidance to entities for the required components of an SSP program that must be considered for NDDoH to authorize the program. One provision to the law is that no state general funds are to be used to purchase injecting equipment, which includes needles, syringes and other equipment for the process of injecting. However, if available, state general funds can support the development, implementation, and/or evaluation of SSP.

2019 Legislative Session

SB 2198 in the 2019 Legislative session further amended section 19-03.1-23 to protect persons who are in possession of appropriately collected syringes and needles from penalties related to the possession of a controlled substance.

2021 Legislative Session

Medium

SSP Authorization

The NDDHHS enveloped the guidance and requirements for syringe service programs in North Dakota. The guidance is for qualified entities that are establishing a SSP. Entities shall comply with this guidance to become an authorized syringe service program in North Dakota.

SSP Reauthorization

One requirement for authorized SSPs is to submit a reauthorization request each year. Below is the guidance for reauthorization established by the NDHHS.

SSP Forms

The NDHHS has developed forms with the assistance of current authorized SSPs. The participant enrollment form template and participant log template can be used by SSP to collect data and provide a guide for participant visits.

Medium

Implementing & Operating a SSP

The NDHHS along with NASTAD and the Harm Reduction Coalition provided a training on SSPs and how to work with persons who inject drugs. Below are recordings of the topics covered during this training. The training was held on September 4, 2018.

ND Vulnerability Index

A 2014 - 2015 outbreak of HIV infection among a rural network of persons who inject drugs (PWID) underscored the intersection of the expanding crise of opioid misuse, injection drug use, and associated increases in bloodborne infectious diseases.