Officials also distribute mouth guards and antiseptic wipes to reduce the spread of HIV, hepatitis, and other diseases.
The program began as a traditional needle exchange in 2018, but expanded after data showed more overdose deaths from smoking drugs rather than injecting them.
Since implementing the safer smoking supplies program in February, engagement has skyrocketed.
“98% increase in enrollment, a 47% increase in visits, a 34% increase of unique individuals served as well as 38% more lives saved,” said Litke Sall.
But the program faces criticism. Sall defends the approach.
“What they need to understand is by doing this it’s making our community safer,” said Litke Sall. “It is reducing disease, it is saving lives, it’s saving tax payer dollars.
The program operates under North Dakota state law and is funded entirely by federal opioid grants – no local tax money is used.
But this isn’t a simple handout. People must engage with harm reduction staff to receive supplies.
“It’s not just walking in and getting a pipe it’s not like me going to Walmart picking out a pack of gum going to the self checkout and leaving they have to engage with us,” said Litke Sall.
The center has distributed 4,952 pipes across more than 7,000 visits.
