Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associated Press - December 11, 2006
Beth DeFalco
Aimed at combatting the spread of HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C and other blood-borne diseases, the measure allows six municipalities to set up programs in which drug users would swap used needles for clean ones. It also provides $10 million for drug treatment and provides those exchanging needles with information and referrals for HIV testing, drug abuse treatment and health and social service programs.
Under the bill, the state health commissioner would have to file reports with the governor and Legislature on whether the program has proven effective.
It passed 49-27 in the Assembly and 23-16 in the Senate. Both houses are controlled by Democrats. It now heads to the governor for his consideration.
Currently, New Jersey is the only state without either a needle exchange program or one that allows syringes to be sold without a prescription. Gov. Jon S. Corzine has expressed support for such measures.
According to research by the Office of Legislative Services, the Legislature's nonpartisan legal research arm, 11 states have statewide laws allowing needle exchange programs; 22 states and Puerto Rico have exchange programs because no law specifically prohibits it; and there are at least 184 needle exchange programs around the country.
While advocates contend needle exchanges stem the spread of disease through dirty needles, foes argue such programs enable illicit drug use.
"We have an opportunity to save thousands of lives that otherwise could be lost because of our state's failure to enact sensible syringe access policies," said Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts Jr., D-Camden.
Roberts, a leading needle exchange advocate, called New Jersey's lack of access "embarrassing" given the state's staggering number residents living with HIV/AIDS.
The state ranks among the top five in the number of residents living with HIV/AIDS, the annual number of new HIV/AIDS cases and the rate of infections among women.
In New Jersey, 44 percent of those with AIDS contracted it from sharing needles - double the national average - according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Supporters have been trying to pass a needle exchange bill in New Jersey since 1993. The Assembly approved one 2004, but the Senate never followed suit.
Sen. Ronald Rice, D-Essex, who is adamantly against any program to distribute free needles, deemed the legislation "a death penalty bill" for women and minorities, who suffer the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the state. He contends the programs don't work.
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