HR State Rights | The Kind Collective

H

For Community Use

Individuals carrying The Kind Collective's participant ID card, or a card from any New Jersey Department of Health certified harm reduction center, are legally protected under state law to carry harm reduction supplies. The Kind Collective is an authorized harm reduction services provider under N.J.A.C. 8:63, and under N.J.S.A. 2C:36-1, harm reduction supplies are excluded from the definition of drug paraphernalia. Individuals should not be penalized, cited, arrested, or stigmatized for prioritizing their health and keeping themselves and their community safe.

Understading Harm Reduction Services in New Jersey

A Community Guide for Law Enforcement, Officials, and Community Members

The Legal Framework

Effective January 8, 2024, New Jersey enacted P.L. 2023, c.224, fundamentally changing how harm reduction supplies are classified under state law.

Key Legal Points:

Under N.J.S.A. 2C:36-1, harm reduction supplies are excluded from the definition of drug paraphernalia when distributed by authorized programs
The Kind Collective is an authorized harm reduction services provider under N.J.A.C. 8:63
This is state law—these protections apply throughout New Jersey. Click for more content (here)

Harm Reduction Supplies Legal Under NJ Law

The following items from The Kind Collective are legal to possess:

Drug checking equipment
Fentanyl test strips
Xylazine Test Strips
Naloxone (injectable and nasal)
Safe smoking equipment
Sterile syringes
Safer injection equipment
Sharp containers
Snort kits
Any/and all equipment used to keep people safe

What This Means in Practice:

Individuals carrying these supplies should NOT be arrested, cited, or penalized. These are protected medical tools under state law.

Why New Jersey Expanded Harm Reduction Centers

Harm reduction saves lives, keeps communities safe, and empowers communities impacted by the war on drugs.

New Jersey recognizes that these services prevent overdose deaths, reduce disease transmission, and connect people to care—without increasing drug use. Communities with harm reduction programs experience fewer overdose deaths, lower rates of HIV and Hepatitis C, and increased connections to healthcare and treatment services.

If you're law enforcement:

Harm reduction equipment, are legal under New Jersey law. Legal reference: P.L. 2023, c.224 and N.J.S.A. 2C:36-1.

If you have questions, please contact The Kind Collective community team

Executive Director

Jose R. Caraballo Jr (JC)

609.858.4242

Lead Community Resource Navigator

Rayshawn Deloatch:

609.943.1885

Remember:

Harm reduction is healthcare. People who use drugs deserve dignity, respect, and access to life-saving services protected by New Jersey law.