Raleigh, NC Public Health Rules: Syringe Disposal (2026)

§ 90-113.27. Needle and hypodermic syringe exchange programs authorized; limited immunity.

(a) Any governmental or nongovernmental organization, including a local or district health department or an organization that promotes scientifically proven ways of mitigating health risks associated with drug use and other high-risk behaviors, may establish and operate a needle and hypodermic syringe exchange program. The objectives of the program shall be to do all of the following:

(1) Reduce the spread of HIV, AIDS, viral hepatitis, and other bloodborne diseases in this State.

(2) Reduce needle stick injuries to law enforcement officers and other emergency personnel.

(3) Encourage individuals who use drugs illicitly to enroll in evidence-based treatment.

(4) Reduce the number of drug overdoses in this State.

(b) Programs established pursuant to this section shall offer all of the following:

(1) Disposal of used needles and hypodermic syringes.

(2) Needles, hypodermic syringes, and other injection supplies at no cost and in quantities sufficient to ensure that needles, hypodermic syringes, and other injection supplies are not shared or reused.

(3) Reasonable and adequate security of program sites, equipment, and personnel. [...]

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of the Controlled Substances Act in Article 5 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes or any other law, no employee, volunteer, or participant of a program established pursuant to this section shall be charged with or prosecuted for possession of any of the following:

(1) Needles, hypodermic syringes, or other injection supplies obtained from or returned to a program established pursuant to this section.

(2) Residual amounts of a controlled substance contained in a used needle, used hypodermic syringe, or used injection supplies obtained from or returned to a program established pursuant to this section.