NO CURE OR COMMON SENSE AFTER 25 YEARS

Twenty-five years ago, the first cases of AIDS were first reported.
In the early years of the epidemic, little was known about the
disease. At first, it appeared restricted to the gay community. The
disease did not just strike gay men. It spread to men, women and
children. It destroyed a person's immune system. It was fatal. There
was and is -- no cure.

Today, thousands of people live full lives with HIV, which can
develop into AIDS. While researchers have not found a vaccine to
immunize against AIDS, new drugs have given affected people a chance
for a full life. While we cannot yet cure AIDS, we can slow the
spread of the disease. The best way is through education. But
education is not enough. New Jersey is one of only two states that
does not permit the exchange of clean syringes without prescriptions.
This must change.

AIDS was never a "gay disease." While it can be sexually transmitted,
it also is spread through dirty syringes. New Jersey has the nation's
highest HIV infection rate among women. It ranks third highest for
children infected with HIV. More than 40 percent of all HIV cases in
New Jersey are the result of needle use. Yet, legislation to legalize
needle exchange programs is locked in committee in the state Senate.

Opponents of needle exchange say that distribution of clean needles
condones illegal activity. It is a specious argument when the cold
hard facts show that more and more women and children are being
infected with HIV. The problem has to be attacked on all fronts.

It is not responsible to just stand on a soap box and proclaim
illegal drug activity wrong. That's obvious. Providing free, clean
syringes will not encourage anyone to become an addict; but it may
save the lives of current addicts, their unknowing partners and the
future children they could infect.

Drug use is not going to go away because righteous state senators
block the distribution of clean syringes. Clearly, though, needle
exchange programs can save lives. Can 48 states be so off track? Gov.
Jon S. Corzine has made a needle exchange program a priority. There
may be some political horse trading necessary to get the legislation
to the floor of the Senate for a vote. Whatever is required to get
this bill approved must be done.

Society has a responsibility to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. That
means more educational programs on the importance of responsible sex.
It means teaching kids about abstinence and about condoms. It means
teaching adults about abstinence and condoms. It means getting drugs
and drug dealers off streets. It means creating programs that will
save lives while working with addicts to become drug free. That
cannot happen if they die. That cannot happen if they infect their
wives and girlfriends and bear children addicted to drugs and
infected with HIV.

This is not a time for the self-righteous to gain points with a
conservative base. It is a time for responsible legislators to think
of public safety first. Twenty-five years ago, the nation slowly
learned about a new disease. HIV/AIDS is no longer new. Many know
people affected directly or indirectly by HIV/AIDS. There is no cure,
but the spread of the disease can be slowed. It is not being slowed
in New Jersey.

Create a needle exchange program now; politics can wait.