CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
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)
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Record 1.2 million people show out for Cologne’s Pride parade
July 23 2024 10:51 AM
Here's how far-right activist Leonard Leo helped fund Bud Light boycott
July 23 2024 10:27 AM
Elon Musk’s comments about his trans daughter prove why she doesn’t speak to him
July 23 2024 9:16 AM
Nancy Pelosi endorses Kamala Harris for president
July 22 2024 4:07 PM
Charli XCX declares Kamala Harris IS brat & our next President's campaign agrees
July 22 2024 3:08 PM
Pete Buttigieg roasts JD Vance and his gay tech bro billionaire
July 22 2024 1:42 PM
The AIDs pandemic can be ended by 2030, but governments must act: report
July 22 2024 1:01 PM
Conservatives' first attack on Kamala Harris: Pronouns and accessibility?
July 22 2024 12:45 PM