‘Widely ignored’: Law enforcement in NC are not following protections for drug users, study says

CHARLOTTE — A new study shows law enforcement in North Carolina aren’t following some legal protections provided for drug users by the state’s syringe service programs.

The initiative gives clean needles to people who use drugs as a way to prevent disease and encourage treatment.

Channel 9′s Dan Matics reported on the science behind the program and why law enforcement may not be following the guidance.

A 2016 law in North Carolina recognized that, while it isn’t ideal, people who use drugs should do so safely. As a result, the state began harm reduction programs.

Now, syringe services allow drug users access to clean needles. Advocates say the program helps reduce infectious disease rates for HIV and hepatitis C.

Dr. Jennifer Carroll with North Carolina State University said the programs are the most common path to drug treatment.

“People who are engaged in syringe services programs are five times more likely to get treatment, but in order to do that, people have to feel safe,” said Lauren Kestner, head of the nonprofit program Queen City Harm Reduction.

State law says someone using a needle from the syringe services program can’t be arrested for possessing drug paraphernalia. But a recent study from NC State University says many law enforcement officers are ignoring the protections.

Kestner said she has seen some cases where the cards the drug users are given to show they’re in the program are being ripped up by officers.

“It’s frustrating, because it’s widely ignored,” she said. “People are discriminated against. Cards get ripped up for something that they are protected by.”

Daniel Redford with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police said the study is one-sided and he would’ve like a more in-depth study.

Redford said these programs work, despite making it clear that drug use is illegal. He said the issue lies in communication to officers.

“While this law does apply for all officers, not every officer is going to know it off the top of their head,” he said.

The study’s author says she hopes the new information is eye-opening and lets more folks know about the programs.

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