Health News
2006-01-24
New Jersey
needle-exchange lawsuit withdrawn
Four New Jersey
lawmakers last week announced they were withdrawing their
lawsuit to stop needle-exchange programs in three cities
Four New Jersey
lawmakers last week announced they were withdrawing their
lawsuit to stop needle-exchange programs in three cities
because the order authorizing the exchanges had
expired on December 31.
Before leaving
office in 2004, Gov. James E. McGreevey declared a public
health emergency and authorized syringe exchanges in
Atlantic City, Camden, and a third, unnamed city.
Opponents challenged the order immediately, saying
McGreevey had no right to bypass the legislature on
the issue.
State senators
Ronald Rice, a Democrat, and Tom Kean, a Republican,
joined assemblymen Joe Pennacchio and Eric Munoz, both
Republicans, in filing a lawsuit against the order. In
June 2005, the appellate division agreed with the
lawmakers and stayed McGreevey's order. The next month, a
three-judge appellate division panel shot down Atlantic
City's needle-exchange program, saying it violated
state drug laws. Proponents of needle exchanges have
since filed a petition with the New Jersey supreme
court to hear the case.
New Jersey and
Delaware are the only states that do not have
needle-exchange programs. Supporters say the programs help
curb the spread of HIV and other blood-borne diseases
among injection-drug users. But opponents argue they
send the wrong message about drug use and that they
fail to address underlying social ills like poverty and
unemployment that lead to drug abuse.
Legislation
authorizing syringe-exchange programs has been introduced in
both houses of the New Jersey legislature, which convened
January 10. A similar bill was approved by the
assembly in the prior session but stalled in the
senate. Gov. Jon S. Corzine has indicated that he would
support establishing needle-exchange programs. (AP)
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