NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM NEEDED

I feel that needle exchange programs need to be implemented in New Jersey,
in an attempt to decrease the spread of HIV among the intravenous drug-using
population.

It is no secret that drug use has increased in New Jersey as well as all
over, along with an increase in the number of people who have been
incarcerated for nonviolent, drug-related crimes.

This is an example that more and more people are becoming addicted and using
drugs, many not even knowing that they are infected with HIV, sharing their
needles with uninfected people and rapidly spreading HIV among this
population.

This program will help individuals who are using intravenously and have HIV
to reduce the risk of spreading the disease by sharing needles with other
intravenous drug users.

Many other jurisdictions, such as New York and Philadelphia, have put a
program such as this in place.

New Jersey needs such a program in attempt to prevent some of the spread of
this deadly disease.

LAURA ZITO Social Work Student Richard Stockton College