In a state with some of the highest rates of HIV and hepatitis C spread by contaminated syringes, Drug Policy Alliance's New Jersey office is working hard for passage of syringe access legislation.

Bills to allow the establishment of municipal syringe exchange programs and non-prescription sale of syringes in pharmacies are pending in both houses of the legislature. The same legislation passed the Assembly but stalled in the Senate last year, and public health advocates are urging passage of these lifesaving bills in the current legislative session, which wraps up at the end of June. 

Governor Corzine has vowed to urge the legislature to act on this issue, saying that it should be a top legislative priority. In a column in the Newark Times-Ledger this week, author Tom Moran warned, "The political stalemate over this issue has deadly consequences."  The Trenton Times editorialized, "No political fight shaping up at the State House this year is more important to win than this one." 

DPA New Jersey Director Roseanne Scotti is heartened by the growing momentum.  "More and more people are recognizing how important sterile syringe access is for disease prevention. With our ongoing education efforts and Governor Corzine's support, we can pass this legislation and bring New Jersey into step with the rest of the country."

Syringe access is vital for New Jersey, which has the fifth highest number of adult HIV cases, third highest number of pediatric HIV cases, and highest proportion of women infected with HIV in the nation. Most significantly, New Jersey’s rate of HIV cases caused by the sharing of dirty needles is twice the national average.

New Jersey is one of only two states that do not allow any access to sterile syringes, even though syringe exchange and non-prescription pharmacy sale of syringes are proven ways to prevent the spread of disease. Every established medical, scientific, and professional body to study the issue has concluded that improved access to sterile syringes works to reduce incidences of HIV and hepatitis C without increasing drug use.

DPA New Jersey is advocating tirelessly with legislators about the importance of syringe access, and has created an action alert for supporters in New Jersey to contact elected officials.  "This has been a long struggle," said Scotti, "but it seems we are reaching critical mass.  Now more than ever we need our allies and supporters to keep the pressure on the legislature and governor to make this happen."