Current through Chapter 253 of the 2024 Legislative Session
Section 325-113 - Operation of the program(a) The program shall be operated for the purpose of: (1) Preventing the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus, the hepatitis B virus, and other blood borne diseases; and(2) Providing injection drug users with referrals to appropriate health and social services.(b) The program shall provide for maximum security of exchange sites and equipment, including a full accounting of the number of needles and syringes in use, the number in storage, and any other measure that may be required to control the use and dispersal of sterile needles and syringes; provided that a participant may exchange used needles and syringes at any exchange site if more than one site is available.(c) The program shall provide for a one-to-one exchange, whereby the participant shall receive one sterile needle and syringe unit in exchange for each used one.(d) The program shall provide procedures for the screening of participants to prevent non-injection drug users from participating in the programs.(e) The department shall keep records to identify and authorize persons employed by the department or its designees to have access to needles, syringes, or the program's records.(f) The program shall include services to:(1) Educate the participant about the dangers of contracting HIV infection through needle-sharing practices; and(2) Offer substance abuse treatment referral and counseling services to all participants.(g) The program shall compile research data on behavioral changes, enrollment in drug abuse treatment, counseling, and education programs, disease transmission, and other information that may be relevant and useful to assist in the planning and evaluation of efforts to combat the spread of blood borne diseases.