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New Jersey
Sentencing Reform
To address New Jersey's high rates of incarceration, with disproportionate impacts on communities of color, DPA has launched The New Solutions Campaign. The Campaign advocated for the repeal of New Jersey's harsh mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenses, which were tearing apart families and communities and wasting taxpayer money. Read our report, “Wasting Money, Wasting Lives: Calculating the Hidden Costs of Incarceration in New Jersey” and learn more about winning drug free zone reform.
Sterile Syringe Access and Harm Reduction
New Jersey's refusal to allow injection drug users access to sterile syringes contributed to the state having the fifth highest number of adult HIV cases in the nation. In response to this public health crisis, DPA created the Campaign for a Healthier New Jersey to advocate for legislation allowing six municipalities to establish syringe access programs and non-prescription sale of syringes in pharmacies. Passage of these laws is a major victory in the fight against HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C.
DPA provided support in the implementation of the law and New Jersey now has syringe access programs in five cities. DPA continues working for expanded syringe access throughout New Jersey.
Overdose Prevention
In New Jersey, overdose is now the leading cause of accidental death. Almost 6,000 people have died from drug overdoses in New Jersey since 2004. These deaths are preventable. Unfortunately, our current policies focus on punishment and drive people into the shadows and away from help in overdose situations. As a result, Drug Policy Alliance recently launched the Overdose Prevention Campaign in order to promote public health policies aimed at raising awareness about drug overdose and reducing the number of overdose deaths. The first priority for the new campaign is the enactment of S851/A578, a Good Samaritan law designed to encourage people to call 911 and seek emergency medical assistance in cases of overdose. Help support the passage of this critical legislation.
Medical Marijuana
Each year thousands of New Jerseyans are diagnosed with cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis and other debilitating illnesses. For some patients, currently available medications will not relieve their terrible symptoms. Medical marijuana could reduce suffering and improve the quality of life for these patients.
The Drug Policy Alliance launched the Compassionate Use Campaign to advocate for legislation allowing seriously ill patients access to medical marijuana with a doctor's recommendation. We and our coalition partners, patient and family advocates were successful when S119/A804, the “Compassionate Use Act,” was enacted. This law is a major victory in the fight for the compassionate and common sense response to suffering.
For more information regarding becoming a registered patient, caregiver, or licensed alternative treatment center provider, please review our FAQs fact sheet.
