N.J. LAWMAKERS APPROVE PILOT NEEDLE-EXCHANGE PROGRAM

TRENTON - The New Jersey Legislature approved a pilot program
yesterday that would allow intravenous drug users to swap their dirty
needles for clean ones.

The Senate and Assembly both voted to allow six cities to establish
needle exchanges, a move proponents say will go a long way toward
reducing the spread of blood-borne disease, particularly HIV-AIDS,
through the sharing of infected needles. Officials in drug-plagued
Camden and Atlantic City have already said they would apply to
participate in the program, which Gov. Corzine said yesterday he
would sign into law.

When that happens, New Jersey will become the last state in the
country to offer some form of needle access. All others have exchange
programs or allow the over-the-counter sale of hypodermic needles.

The Assembly also gave its stamp to a companion bill that would allow
pharmacies to sell limited numbers of hypodermic needles without a
prescription. That bill has yet to be considered in the Senate, which
approved the needle exchange measure by a vote of 23-16.