Pubdate: Thu, 14 Dec 2006
Source: Gay City News (NY)
Copyright: 2006 Gay City News
Contact:  http://www.gaycitynews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3651
Author: Andy Humm
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)

NJ ADOPTS NEEDLE EXCHANGE

New Jersey, where an estimated 14 percent of new HIV cases are 
attributable to shared needles by injecting drug users, has finally 
adopted a needle-exchange program. On December 11, the Senate voted 
23-16 and the Assembly 49-27 to approve the measure. Democratic 
Governor Jon Corzine has pledged to sign the bill, calling the 
science on the issue "clear."

New Jersey had been the only state "that does not allow injection 
drug users access to clean needles through community-based 
needle-exchange programs or with a prescription," the Kaiser Network 
reported. The programs will be established in six cities and allocate 
an additional $10 million to drug treatment.