NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS OK'D IN 6 CITIES

TRENTON -- Cities would be allowed to set up programs giving drug
addicts access to clean needles under a measure passed by the
Legislature Monday that has the support of Gov. Corzine.

Both the Senate and Assembly approved the measure, which allows up to
six New Jersey communities -- not yet identified -- to set up clean
needle exchange programs and provides $10 million of state funding
for drug abuse treatment programs.

The measure passed 23 to 16 in the Senate and 49 to 27, with four
abstentions, in the Assembly, where the debate was not nearly as
fierce or long.

Sen. Ronald Rice, D-Essex, who called the measure a "death penalty"
for urban women and minorities, led the opposition, often banging on
his desk and looking his colleagues in their eyes, telling them they
are largely unaffected by this urban issue.

Proponents of the program say it will help curb the spread of
HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne disease among intravenous drug users.
Critics say it sanctions criminal drug use while ignoring other
related problems like gang violence. Both sides say the other's
scientific studies are not accurate.

"People are not dying from HIV," Rice said. "They're dying from
overdose, homicide, and they're also dying of suicide."

Bill sponsor Sen. Nia Gill, D-Essex, countered that "thousands upon
thousands of children of all colors would die" without the law. After
bickering to the last minute over whether the program will work, Gill
said New Jersey will soon get firm proof.

"We're going to get an answer," Gill said. "I know it's going to have
an effect."

Similar debate occurred simultaneously in the Assembly.

"We have people dying. We have families devastated by this deadly
virus, this deadly disease. And we have done nothing in this
Legislature," said sponsor Assemblyman Frank Blee, R-Atlantic.

Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman said AIDS does not discriminate.

"We cannot afford to ignore an entire segment of our population,"
said Coleman, D-Mercer. "We cannot choose to look the other way
because of the lifestyle or prevention program may not be viewed as
politically popular or correct."

Corzine issued a statement saying the bill "addresses a growing
public health crisis" and that he plans to sign it.

How They Voted

SENATE: Karcher, Palaia, Singer -- yes

Ciesla, Connors, Kyrillos -- no

ASSEMBLY: Panter -- yes

Connors, Corodemus, Dancer, Handlin, Holzapfel, Kean, Malone, Rumpf, Wolfe -- no