UPDATE: The Fargo City Commission has decided to continue its needle exchange program amid controversy over the Harm Reduction Center distributing glass smoking pipes. In a 3-2 vote held on November 10, 2024, officials rejected a motion by Commissioner Michelle Turnberg to halt the syringe services program while seeking clarity on its legality.
This urgent decision comes on the heels of revelations that the Harm Reduction Center was providing glass pipes to the public as part of a pilot program. Turnberg strongly criticized the initiative, stating, “The vast majority of residents are outraged by this. They’re sick of finding needles.” She argued that the city should direct its efforts toward treatment rather than enabling drug use.
The city aims to assist those battling addiction, with officials emphasizing that the needle exchange program is a critical step in connecting individuals with necessary treatment services. Commissioner John Strand defended the program, urging, “Let’s just quit attacking the people who are trying to do their best.”
The syringe services program, overseen by Fargo Cass Public Health, was launched in April 2018 to combat the spread of HIV and hepatitis C. As of October 31, the program had assisted 1,321 individuals with 6,852 visits, marking increases of 34% and 47% respectively from the previous year. Public Health Director Jenn Faul highlighted that similar programs across the country, endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have proven effective in reducing overdose rates and unsafe injection practices.
Faul stated, “People who use syringe services programs are five times more likely to seek treatment for substance use disorders.” She added that these programs do not increase crime and actively reduce needle litter and injuries among first responders.
The controversy intensified when Turnberg disclosed that Fargo police had discovered additional glass pipes around downtown, raising concerns about the implications of the Harm Reduction Center’s outreach efforts. “Who went rogue and decided that the city of Fargo would hand out 5,000 crack pipes?” she questioned, expressing her disbelief over the program’s management.
Despite the backlash, the Harm Reduction Center’s initiative, which began distributing glass pipes in February, aims to lower overdose deaths using funds from opioid settlements. The program also includes disposal education to ensure public safety. Faul defended the decision, stating, “Research demonstrates that expanding beyond syringe distribution to include additional supplies helps engage people who use drugs.”
However, the center paused its glass pipe distribution “out of an abundance of caution” due to potential legal ambiguities surrounding North Dakota’s laws on safer drug use items. Although the law permits the distribution of safer supplies, glass pipes were not explicitly listed as an approved item. Public Health reported that 4,952 pipes were distributed by the end of October.
Critics, including North Dakota Rep. Desiree Morton, voiced concerns that the program encourages addiction rather than addressing it. “Instead of recovery, you make it easier for these people to stay trapped in their cycle of dependency,” Morton stated.
Supporters of the program, like Fargo resident Olivia Fisher, argue that it saves lives. “These continued efforts to harm vulnerable populations in our town are sickening,” she said, defending the Harm Reduction Center’s work.
The commission will continue to face pressures as the community debates the effectiveness and morality of harm reduction strategies. As Turnberg noted, “There is an election coming up, and voting record is public record.” The city is at a pivotal moment, weighing public health initiatives against community sentiment.
With the needle exchange program still in place, Fargo officials remain committed to addressing addiction through evidence-based approaches aimed at saving lives and promoting public health. As the conversation evolves, the implications of these decisions will resonate throughout the community and beyond.
