Notwithstanding the provisions of § 27-21-20 of the 1976 Code or any other provision of law, if any glassware or other drug paraphernalia which is unclaimed and which would be useful in a science laboratory is recovered pursuant to § 27-21-20, it must be made available first to the public schools and second to the public institutions of higher learning in the State for use in their science programs or courses before it may be sold at public auction or otherwise disposed of in accordance with that section.