N.J. COURT BARS NEEDLE EXCHANGES

A New Jersey appeals court has ruled that Atlantic City cannot begin a
needle-exchange program for users of heroin and other drugs.

The court agreed with a judge's ruling that a state law banning the
possession and distribution of drug paraphernalia applies to municipalities
as well as non-profit groups.

A number of studies have shown that exchange programs help cut the spread
of AIDS and other diseases spread by contaminated needles. Advocates also
argue that the exchanges, by bringing drug users in contact with the
medical system are more likely to get help.

The appeals panel acknowledged the arguments in favor of the programs. But
the judges said that only the Legislature has the power to change the law.

"Atlantic City is not exempt from the Code provisions ... simply because
they adopted a needle exchange for beneficent reasons," the opinion said.

When it adopted the needle exchange program, the Atlantic City Council said
that the city faced a public health crisis because of AIDS and that 60
percent of AIDS infections came from the sharing of needles by drug users.