Pubdate: Wed, 26 Jul 2006
Source: Courier-Post (Cherry Hill, NJ)
Copyright: 2006 Courier-Post
Contact:  http://www.courierpostonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/826
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)

N.J. IS WOEFULLY BEHIND ON NEEDLE EXCHANGES

It's ridiculous for New Jersey to continue limiting access to clean 
needles that could greatly slow the spread of AIDS and other diseases.

Last week, Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner signed a bill to create a 
pilot needle exchange program in Wilmington to slow the rate of HIV 
infections among injection drug users there.

With Delaware signing the program into law, New Jersey now stands as 
the only state in the nation to restrict access to clean needles by 
barring both needle-exchange programs and the ability to purchase 
syringes without a prescription.

If this doesn't signal New Jersey lawmakers that it's time to creep 
out from the dark ages on this issue, nothing will.

The state must change its drug laws to allow needle exchanges in 
communities hard hit by AIDS.

The use of dirty needles is one of the top causes of new AIDS cases 
in New Jersey. AIDS, hepatitis C and other deadly blood-borne 
diseases can be spread through the sharing of needles.

All around the country and the world, governments have allowed 
programs where those who abuse illegal drugs can exchange their dirty 
needles for clean ones. Such programs aren't designed to encourage 
drug use; they're designed to stop the spread of killer diseases such as AIDS.

Still, some say allowing needle exchanges could encourage more people 
to use intravenous drugs. But numerous studies of exchange programs 
across the United States have found that such programs do not lead to 
more people using injection drugs.

What needle-exchange programs have done, however, is reduce the rate 
of people being infected with AIDS, studies show.

It's stunning that, in a relatively progressive state such as New 
Jersey, archaic drug laws have stood in the way of these needed 
programs for so long.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New 
Jersey is fifth among states with the most AIDS/HIV cases and has one 
of the highest infection rates in the nation, as well. Roughly 50 
percent of the state's AIDS cases in 2004 were tied to injection drug 
use, according to the state Department of Health and Senior Services.

Camden and Atlantic City, two communities where infected needles have 
exacted a heavy toll, particularly in the African American community, 
tried to institute needle-exchange programs in recent years only to 
be blocked by the state's drug laws.

Now, New Jersey has a governor, Assembly speaker and many other 
lawmakers who say they want to allow needle exchanges.

It's time these lawmakers acted.

New Jersey's antiquated drug laws must be changed. Every other state 
in the nation has seen the wisdom in increasing access to clean 
needles to slow the spread of AIDS -- a disease that slowly and 
painfully kills people while also costing taxpayers perhaps millions 
of dollars to treat patients who lack medical insurance.

Our state lawmakers must approve legislation to alter the state's 
drug laws and allow communities to increase access to clean needles.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman