Earlier today, public health legislation that legalized possession of syringes (A-5854) and modernized New Jersey's restrictive syringe use law (A-4847) passed the Parliamentary Judiciary Committee and the Health Committee, respectively.

A-5458 will legalize the possession of syringes. New Jersey has arrested more than 55,000 people since 2012. These arrests are in direct contradiction to public health best practices to ensure widespread use of syringes to prevent overdose deaths, HIV and hepatitis C.

A-4847 will remove the restrictive municipal ordinance requirement, which requires local authorization before establishing a syringe access plan. This requirement is the biggest obstacle to expanding harm reduction services in New Jersey.

These bills are part of the harm reduction bill advocated by Senator Joseph Vitale and Congresswoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle. Another bill in the package expands the widespread use of naloxone, a drug that reverses opioid overdose, and was signed into law in July 2020.

"The truth is that in New Jersey, harm reduction services save countless lives every year," Congresswoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle said. "To reduce harm is to lead with empathy and work hard to find resources, not to punish. We must do our best to support and expand these services to cover all of our communities."

Caitlin O'Neill, Director of Disaster Reduction Services, New Jersey Disaster Reduction Alliance:

"We are in the midst of an unprecedented overdose crisis, and the evidence shows that we cannot escape this crisis. The expansion of harm reduction services in New Jersey is imminent. Our loved ones die by our side without the opportunity to make positive changes or contact To care. The legalization and expansion of the use of syringes means that it is safe to consult a doctor about safer injection practices to avoid life-threatening skin infections and endocarditis. You can even say loudly that you need help to stop the injection and seek it safely. Nursing, safely, there are publicly accessible syringe disposal boxes in all cities, and law enforcement officials or EMS providers can be safely told that they have syringes, which greatly reduces the risk of needle stick injuries for first responders."

Dr. Jenn Oliva, Professor of Law, Associate Dean and Director of the Center for Health and Pharmaceutical Law, Seton Hall University School of Law:

"Studies have proven that allowing individuals to use sterile syringes improves health outcomes and saves lives by legalizing their possession and expanding their availability. When combined with other harm reduction interventions, the legalization of syringes and sterile syringes The provision of services is associated with a 50% reduction in the spread of HIV and hepatitis C. New Jersey faces an important choice: ignore evidence, maintain current criminal laws, and may exacerbate considerable public health hazards or follow science and enact harm reduction legislation. Legalize the possession of syringes and fix discriminatory and restrictive syringe use laws, saving lives and taxpayers’ money.”

Dr. Sandy Gibson, Professor and Clinical Coordinator, Faculty of Education, College of New Jersey

"The syringe visit program is not just a simple syringe exchange. People are doing services there, such as Narcan, fentanyl test strips, and HIV and hepatitis C testing services. They are places to build relationships with people who care about your health, and It’s usually the first step to start thinking about participating in treatment services."

The New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition promotes harm reduction through a peer-led plan to distribute naloxone, fentanyl test procedures and other harm reduction products; advocates for the expansion of syringe use and fair drug policy reform; ​​Build power among people who are directly hurt.

To request naloxone (brand name Narcan) and safer supplies to be mailed freely and confidentially throughout New Jersey, please call/send SMS 1-877-4NARCAN or visit www.nextdistro.org/newjersey. (Visited 191 times, visited 1 time today)

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