Richmond, VA Public Health Rules: Syringe Disposal (2026)

A. The Commissioner or his designee may authorize the director of a local department of health, or any other organization that promotes scientifically proven methods of mitigating health risks associated with drug use and other high-risk behaviors, to establish and operate local or regional comprehensive harm reduction programs that include the provision of sterile hypodermic needles and syringes and disposal of used hypodermic needles and syringes. The objectives of such programs shall be to (i) reduce the spread of HIV, viral hepatitis, and other blood-borne diseases in the Commonwealth; (ii) reduce the transmission of blood-borne diseases through needlestick injuries to law-enforcement and other emergency personnel; (iii) provide information to individuals who inject drugs regarding addiction recovery treatment services and encourage such individuals to participate in evidence-based substance use treatment programs; (iv) prevent opioid overdose deaths through distribution of naloxone or other opioid antagonists; and (v) incentivize the safe return and disposal of hypodermic needles and syringes.