Pubdate: Tue, 12 Dec 2006
Source: Asbury Park Press (NJ)
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061212/NEWS03/612120311/1007
Copyright: 2006 Asbury Park Press
Contact:  http://www.app.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/26
Author: Gregory J. Volpe, Gannett State Bureau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)

NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS OK'D IN 6 CITIES

TRENTON -- Cities would be allowed to set up programs giving drug 
addicts access to clean needles under a measure passed by the 
Legislature Monday that has the support of Gov. Corzine.

Both the Senate and Assembly approved the measure, which allows up to 
six New Jersey communities -- not yet identified -- to set up clean 
needle exchange programs and provides $10 million of state funding 
for drug abuse treatment programs.

The measure passed 23 to 16 in the Senate and 49 to 27, with four 
abstentions, in the Assembly, where the debate was not nearly as 
fierce or long.

Sen. Ronald Rice, D-Essex, who called the measure a "death penalty" 
for urban women and minorities, led the opposition, often banging on 
his desk and looking his colleagues in their eyes, telling them they 
are largely unaffected by this urban issue.

Proponents of the program say it will help curb the spread of 
HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne disease among intravenous drug users. 
Critics say it sanctions criminal drug use while ignoring other 
related problems like gang violence. Both sides say the other's 
scientific studies are not accurate.

"People are not dying from HIV," Rice said. "They're dying from 
overdose, homicide, and they're also dying of suicide."

Bill sponsor Sen. Nia Gill, D-Essex, countered that "thousands upon 
thousands of children of all colors would die" without the law. After 
bickering to the last minute over whether the program will work, Gill 
said New Jersey will soon get firm proof.

"We're going to get an answer," Gill said. "I know it's going to have 
an effect."

Similar debate occurred simultaneously in the Assembly.

"We have people dying. We have families devastated by this deadly 
virus, this deadly disease. And we have done nothing in this 
Legislature," said sponsor Assemblyman Frank Blee, R-Atlantic.

Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman said AIDS does not discriminate.

"We cannot afford to ignore an entire segment of our population," 
said Coleman, D-Mercer. "We cannot choose to look the other way 
because of the lifestyle or prevention program may not be viewed as 
politically popular or correct."

Corzine issued a statement saying the bill "addresses a growing 
public health crisis" and that he plans to sign it.

How They Voted

SENATE: Karcher, Palaia, Singer -- yes

Ciesla, Connors, Kyrillos -- no

ASSEMBLY: Panter -- yes

Connors, Corodemus, Dancer, Handlin, Holzapfel, Kean, Malone, Rumpf, Wolfe -- no