RALEIGH -- A new technology is enhancing an old problem. 

Drones are being used to drop contraband into North Carolina prisons.  A new state law that goes into effect on December 1 looks to change that.

“It’s just a new variation on an old problem,” says Eddie Caldwell with NC Sheriffs’ Association.  “For years inmates have had friends and associates and families try to smuggle things into the prison during visits or jails.”

A law that goes into effect on Friday that would make it a felony to fly a drone over prison or jail.

 “It’s a case where you have a device that has so many uses for the betterment of mankind ,” says Kenneth Lassiter, the NC Director of Prisons,  “but is used for something negative, bringing contraband into a prison.

And when it comes to what exactly people are bringing over these prison walls, officials say it could be almost anything.  They point to cases of cell phones, drugs and even food items being flown in.

Officials say they hope to at least slow the contraband being brought in by drone, by the end of the week, while not restricting drone use for folks who are using them properly.

“There are recreational drones and in some of our areas people do utilize drones on farms near our prisons to do surveillance of their crop,” says Lassiter.  “That's fine until you try to fly over the top of prisons, because our staff doesn't know the difference between a good drone and a bad drone so any drone flying over a prison is a problem.”

Under the law, it is Class H felony to try to deliver a weapon with a drone and a Class I felony for delivering other contraband.