Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
The New York Times - December 11, 2006
These tragic statistics cry out for life-saving programs that slow the spread of infection by giving addicts access to sterile syringes. At the moment, however, New Jersey is the only state that is still resisting this proven AIDS-prevention strategy.
The Legislature can bring the state into line with long-established medical policy - and save lives in the bargain - if it passes a set of bills that would establish municipal syringe exchange programs.
Needle access programs have the overwhelming support of the medical, social service and AIDS prevention communities. Nonetheless, some lawmakers are afraid of supporting them publicly for fear that they will be accused of encouraging drug use.
But that is simply not the case. Data from across this country and abroad show that needle exchange actually slows the spread of disease without increasing intravenous drug use. Thanks to the effectiveness of these clean needle programs, their value is no longer in doubt.
New Jersey lawmakers should bear this in mind as they approach the vote. A vote for the needle access program is a vote for saving the lives of men, women and unborn children. A vote against the program is a vote for more infections, higher medical costs and more unnecessary deaths.
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