CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FOR EXCHANGE PARTICIPANTS ARRESTED FOR NEEDLE POSSESSION

NEW YORK (AP) -- A judge granted class-action status to a lawsuit
filed by a drug addict who was arrested for needle possession.

The lawsuit contends that the arrest was unlawful because the addict
participates in a legal needle exchange program.

Judge Robert Sweet of U.S. District Court on Tuesday granted the
addict's request to expand the suit to include others who were
arrested in police sweeps of drug areas.

The suit charges that sweeps in areas where needle exchanges are
located make it likely that participants will be arrested.

The addict was identified in the suit only as James Roe, and the
judge agreed that revealing his name would be dangerous for him.