Campaign for a Healthier New Jersey (Syringe Access)

One of the Drug Policy Alliance’s greatest victories to date is its Campaign for a Healthier New Jersey. On January 17th, 2012, Governor Chris Christie signed legislation into law that allows for the sale of limited numbers of syringes in pharmacies without a prescription. This life-saving legislation will reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and other blood-borne diseases. New Jersey was one of only two states that completely ban over-the-counter sales of syringes. On December 18th, 2006, Governor Jon S. Corzine signed the “Blood-borne Pathogen Harm Reduction Act," which allows up to six cities to establish syringe access programs to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and other blood-borne diseases. The passage of this life-saving legislation was the culmination of years of extraordinary advocacy by DPA's office in New Jersey and our coalition partners in the Campaign for a Healthier New Jersey.

The Campaign for a Healthier New Jersey continues to advocate for expanding syringe access and we and our allies will not rest until New Jersey has a comprehensive strategy for reducing injection related HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C.