By: Ethan Kramer
FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – The Fargo City Commission voted 3-2 Monday night to continue the city’s needle distribution program, rejecting a motion to end it immediately.
Commissioner Michelle Turnberg placed the item on the agenda after a Valley News Live report that found the Harm Reduction Center had been distributing glass pipes to drug users since February.
Less than a day after that report on glass pipes being made available for drug users through Fargo’s Harm Reduction Center, that distribution was suspended citing potential concerns with “interpretation of the current state law.”
Fargo Cass Public Health Director Jenn Faul discussed that decision during Monday’s meeting.
“The inconsistencies between the North Dakota Century Code 23-01-44 that was that supply list that allowed for other safe drug use items to be distributed and the century code that talks about paraphernalia and the definition that is lined out and because they line out specifically what they are in the century code that allows us to distribute that but they do not allow pipes in the definition of paraphernalia on the criminal side there is this inconsistency that had our law enforcement officers and partners not knowing exactly what to do if it was going to be charged as paraphernalia or if it was not,” said Faul.
The distribution of glass bulb pipes was added to the program in 2025 as a way to reduce overdose deaths from drug use by means other than injection.
Commissioners Turnberg and Piepkorn, who voted to end the program, expressed frustrations with the current operations.
“So who went rogue and decided on their own that the city of Fargo would hand out 5,000 crack pipes,” said Commissioner Michelle Turnberg.
“I just heard about it and I think all the other citizens heard about it too and were shocked. Once they found out they couldn’t believe it and surprisingly it ended. It’s just unbelievable,” said Commissioner Dave Piepkorn.
The harm reduction center had distributed 4,952 pipes across more than 7,000 visits before the glass pipe distribution was halted.
Residents also spoke during the public comment period about the distribution of glass pipes.
“We are encouraging people to continue in that because they can come and get a free crack pipe. What kind of city do we have,” said a local Fargo resident.
The needle distribution program will continue operating, though officials say the glass pipe component remains on halt.
