Clean-needle bill
advances
By GREGORY J. VOLPE
thnt.com Online, September 19, 2006
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Sen. Buono
wants OK for pharmacy sale of needles without Rx.
Gannett Photo |
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TRENTON — The Senate Health Committee
yesterday approved a controversial measure that would give drug users access to
clean needles, after a nearly 10-hour session split between debating the issue's
pros and cons and behind-the-scenes political wrangling.
The bill, which if passed would make New Jersey the last state in the country to
allow addicts to get clean needles in the name of curbing the spread of disease
among users, underwent some changes after hours of closed-door meetings between
members of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, Gov.
Jon S. Corzine and Senate President Richard J. Codey.
The committee endorsed the bill by a vote of 5 to 2, with one abstention, last
night after it was amended to include $10 million for drug treatment and more
assessments of the program's effectiveness, and was limited to six
municipalities.
The original bill set no limit. Earlier in the day, bill sponsor Sen. Nia
Gill, D-Essex, opposed setting a limit, but went along once an agreement was
announced.
"It's not perfect, but I'm not here to be the enemy of the good," Gill said.
gvolpe@app.com
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