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Bluelighter
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/01/nj_senate_approves_bill_allowi_2.html
Four years after New Jersey permitted health workers in six cities to provide intravenous drug users with clean needles to stem the spread of AIDS, a Senate committee today approved legislation allowing syringes to be sold at drug stores.
Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex), one of the bill’s sponsors, said enabling people to buy syringes without having to travel to the few cities that run needle exchange programs is "the next level of reform.’’
"This isn’t about judging individuals who are addicted to intravenous drugs, but about slowing the spread of HIV/AIDS," he said.
Pharmacies would be allowed to sell up to 10 syringes to adults without a prescription, according to the bill, (S958). Adults holding a prescription could buy more than 10.
Pharmacies must present written information in both English and Spanish about how purchasers can dispose of the used needle, and contact information for addiction treatment services.
In one form or another, the syringe sale bill has been pending since the 2004-05 legislative session, and if it passes, Delaware would be the only state without a similar law.
New Jersey was the last state in the country to legalize needle exchange programs. It now allows up to six communities to operate their own project that provides intravenous drug users clean needles and if they are willing, referrals to drug treatment. Only five cities have chosen to participate: Atlantic City, Camden, Jersey City, Newark and Paterson.
Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Essex), who was an outspoken opponent of the needle exchange program, voted no on this bill. He argued that making it easier for drug addicts to use doesn’t help them or their communities.
"You’ve got the needles, now come here and fight for drug treatment,’’ Rice told his colleagues and other supporters of the bill. "That’s what you should be doing.’’
Four years after New Jersey permitted health workers in six cities to provide intravenous drug users with clean needles to stem the spread of AIDS, a Senate committee today approved legislation allowing syringes to be sold at drug stores.
Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex), one of the bill’s sponsors, said enabling people to buy syringes without having to travel to the few cities that run needle exchange programs is "the next level of reform.’’
"This isn’t about judging individuals who are addicted to intravenous drugs, but about slowing the spread of HIV/AIDS," he said.
Pharmacies would be allowed to sell up to 10 syringes to adults without a prescription, according to the bill, (S958). Adults holding a prescription could buy more than 10.
Pharmacies must present written information in both English and Spanish about how purchasers can dispose of the used needle, and contact information for addiction treatment services.
In one form or another, the syringe sale bill has been pending since the 2004-05 legislative session, and if it passes, Delaware would be the only state without a similar law.
New Jersey was the last state in the country to legalize needle exchange programs. It now allows up to six communities to operate their own project that provides intravenous drug users clean needles and if they are willing, referrals to drug treatment. Only five cities have chosen to participate: Atlantic City, Camden, Jersey City, Newark and Paterson.
Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Essex), who was an outspoken opponent of the needle exchange program, voted no on this bill. He argued that making it easier for drug addicts to use doesn’t help them or their communities.
"You’ve got the needles, now come here and fight for drug treatment,’’ Rice told his colleagues and other supporters of the bill. "That’s what you should be doing.’’
fuck the rest
