New Jersey Residents: On World AIDS Day Support Legislation to Prevent HIV/AIDS

by via the Drug Policy Alliance

Sat, Dec 1, 2007 11:35AM

Saturday, December 1, 2007 : This World AIDS Day New Jersey really has something to celebrate—on November 27, Atlantic City began operation of the first legal syringe exchange program in the state. The program was made possible because you helped pass the Blood Borne Disease Harm Reduction Act last year. The Act allowed for the establishment of syringe access programs in six cities. Atlantic City is the first of those cities to get a program up and running.

But we cannot afford half measures in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Legislation to allow non-prescription pharmacy sale of syringes is still languishing in the Senate, and time is running out! Take action now.

Last year, this lifesaving legislation passed the Assembly by a wide margin (50-28) but stalled in the Senate Health Committee and never came to the floor of the Senate for a vote. The legislature is now finishing end-of-year unfinished business, so now is the time to pass the bill in the Senate!

A2839/S823 would allow for the sale of limited numbers of syringes in pharmacies without prescriptions. Allowing the sale of limited numbers of syringes in pharmacies is a critical component of a successful HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C prevention program. New Jersey is one of only three states that require a prescription to purchase a syringe in a pharmacy.

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