37Exemptions relating to certain needle and syringe programs

37 Exemptions relating to certain needle and syringe programs

37 Exemptions relating to certain needle and syringe programs

(1) A person who participates in a needle and syringe program is exempt from the provisions of the Act, sections 11, 19 and 20, to the extent necessary to enable the person to do the following for the purposes of the needle and syringe program—

(a) to possess, and to distribute, hypodermic syringes, hypodermic needles and associated equipment for use in the administration of a prohibited drug,

(b) to give out information concerning hygienic practices in the use of hypodermic syringes and hypodermic needles to prevent the spread of contagious disease.

(2) A person is exempt from the provisions of the Act, sections 19 and 20 to the extent necessary to authorise the person to give out information about the location and hours of operation of a needle and syringe program.

(3) In this section—

needle and syringe program means a needle and syringe program specified in the document entitled “Exempt Needle and Syringe Programs” published on 24 August 2021 by the Ministry of Health and available on its website.