NEEDLE EXCHANGE

Now Pass The Bill

Congratulations to state Sen. William Gormley, R-Atlantic, for
reversing his opposition and finally helping to get a needle-exchange
plan onto the Senate agenda.

There is bipartisan support for this bill and a governor who says he
supports it. Now it's up to the lame-duck Legislature to pass this
sensible, lifesaving measure and take New Jersey off the short list of
just two - two - states that deny access to clean needles and syringes
in cities.

Not coincidentally, New Jersey has the third highest percentage in the
nation of residents living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

In explaining his change of heart, Gormley said, "I'd prefer an
alternative, but I don't know of an alternative. It's a serious health
issue that has to be addressed. It's time we addressed it."

Yes, it is. In fact, it's long overdue. People have died while the
Legislature dallied.

Politicians were petrified voters would think they condoned drug use -
a fear that, frankly, we think is unfounded. Most of the public knows
better. Most people understand that no one is going to start injecting
drugs simply because a clean needle is available. They know that
addicts with AIDS spread the disease to others, including their
partners and innocent babies. And they know that drug users and their
families - as self-destructive as addicts may be - should not be
condemned to die out of a misplaced sense of moral purity.

Not only ethics but economics support the bill: The Drug Policy
Alliance estimates the state would save $227,000 in medical costs for
each AIDS case avoided as a result of clean needles.

Gormley is cosponsoring the bill, which is expected to be introduced
this week, with state Sens. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex and Robert
Singer, R-Ocean. It would permit pharmacies to sell needles without a
prescription and allow for privately funded needle-exchange programs
to set up according to Department of Health guidelines and with the
approval of local municipalities.

Atlantic City would be wise to express interest in setting up such a
program. The state estimates that one out of every 32 black males in
Atlantic City is living with HIV or AIDS, the highest rate in the state.

Lots of delicate issues come to the forefront after elections are
over. That political reality is not particularly noble and it's not
necessarily right. But with needle exchange, the stakes are so high
that the important thing is simply to get the programs in place as
quickly as possible. People are dying.