CAMDEN'S NEEDLE EXCHANGE HOBBLED BY LACK OF FUNDING

The program lacks adequate means to fulfill its mission to stop
addicts from spreading HIV through infected syringes.

If more money is not put into Camden's fledgling needle-exchange
program, it could fail to cut the transmission of AIDS as it was
intended to do.

After years of debate, New Jersey legislators finally approved
needle-exchange programs for four cities, including Camden and
Atlantic City. It was the last state in the union to recognize that
needle exchanges didn't encourage crime. Rather, such programs help
break the link between the sharing of dirty needles among addicts and
the transmission of the AIDS virus. New Jersey has the fifth highest
number of AIDS cases in the nation, but is second in people who
contract the virus through injection-drug use.

With its methadone clinics, poverty and drug markets, Camden is a
magnet for drug users. It has one of the state's highest
HIV-infection rates. Yet, its needle-exchange program is run on a
shoestring budget.

Earlier this month, the program had registered just 10 people,
compared with the dozens of registrants the adequately funded
Atlantic City program has signed up.

The state's needle exchange programs are being evaluated to determine
how much they are helping to stem the spread of HIV and steer people
toward treatment. But it would be grossly unfair to judge the Camden
program until it receives more funding. The $75,000 in private funds
just doesn't support proper outreach. The county should put some
money into this program. It isn't only Camden's problem. Many of the
addicts in the city live or migrate from neighboring municipalities.
And adequate funding would not only help reduce infection rates, but
also hold down costs for charity care and other programs often relied
upon by AIDS patients.

We urge Camden County officials, as well as private donors from
around the area, to support this effort to help stop the spread of
the virus that causes AIDS.