TRENTON – A bill dealing with sterile syringes will be before the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee on Thursday.
S2001 would make New Jersey’s sterile syringe access programs permanent and appropriate $95,000 to fund them.
The bill is sponsored by Sen. Joseph F. Vitale, (D-19), Woodbridge.
Up to now, these programs have been funded by private foundations, but advocates have called for state funding to supplement the private funding and make the syringe programs permanent.
The programs enable individuals to have access to sterile syringes to prevent the spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and other blood-borne diseases.
Since 2006, more than 10,000 participants have enrolled in the programs, according to state data.
Roseanne Scotti, state director for Drug Policy Alliance, credited the program’s many positive effects.
“These programs are saving lives and changing lives,” she said. “Every time someone visits a syringe access program it is one less chance they will get HIV and hepatitis C and one more chance they will get access to drug treatment and other needed services.”
