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Drug Policy Alliance New Jersey’s greatest victory to date is its Campaign for a Healthier New Jersey. On December 18th, 2006, Governor Jon S. Corzine signed the “Blood-borne Pathogen Harm Reduction Act," which allows up to six cities to establish syringe access programs to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and other blood-borne diseases. The passage of this legislation was the culmination of four years of extraordinary advocacy by Drug Policy Alliance New Jersey and our coalition partners in the Campaign for a Healthier New Jersey, our allies and supporters.
But Drug Policy Alliance New Jersey, our coalition partners and allies will not rest until New Jersey has a comprehensive strategy for reducing injection related HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. This means passing legislation that would allow for the sale of limited numbers of syringes in pharmacies without a prescription. New Jersey is one of only three states that require a prescription to purchase a syringe in a pharmacy. Allowing for non-prescription sale of syringes in pharmacies would allow those at risk for injection related diseases to use their own money to protect their own health. A syringe costs about 50 cents retail. Lifetime HIV/AIDS care for one person costs about $618,000. Allowing for non-prescription sale of syringes in pharmacies would also benefit diabetics and others who must use injectable medications.
Please join us in supporting Senate Bill 631 and Assembly Bill 3932 which would allow the sale of limited numbers of syringes in pharmacies without a prescription.
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