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, and cost-saving, do not increase illegal drug use or crime.
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
- Satellite SSP: Good Neighbor Project; Beulah, ND
- Satellite SSP: Good Neighbor Project; Beulah, ND
- Minot Good Neighbor Project; Minot, ND
- The ROPES Project; Valley City, ND
North Dakota Century Code 23-01-44 requires Syringe Service Programs authorized by NDDoH 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.
- January - June 2018
- July- December 2018
- January - June 2019
- July - December 2019
- January - June 2020
- July - December 2020
- January - June 2021
- July - December 2021
- January - June 2022
- July - December 2022
- January - June 2023
- July - December 2023
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