Lawmakers hope that giving intravenous drug users more access to clean needles will help stem the spread of HIV and other blood-borne illnesses
The Assembly is scheduled to vote on a bill that would allow New Jersey pharmacies to sell needles and syringes to people without prescriptions.TRENTON — The Assembly is scheduled to vote on a bill that would allow New Jersey pharmacies to sell needles and syringes to people without prescriptions.
Lawmakers hope that giving intravenous drug users more access to clean needles will help stem the spread of HIV and other blood-borne illnesses.
The state Senate approved the measure earlier this year. If the Assembly passes today, the bill would go to the desk of Gov. Chris Christie for his consideration.
In 2008, New Jersey became the last state in the country to offer addicts a legal way to get clean needles. But that law allows only limited needle-exchange programs in a maximum of six cities.
Advocates say the bill under consideration now would be more helpful.
Related coverage:
• N.J. Assembly panel clears bill allowing sale of hypodermic needles in stores
• Bill that would allow over the counter sales of hypodermic needles advances in N.J. Assembly
• Legalizing sales of syringes, needles to IV drug users to be weighed by N.J. Assembly committee
