Needle-Exchange Pilot Programs Launch In New Jersey

Needle-Exchange Programs

The PhiladelphiaInquirer last week examined the launch of pilotneedle-exchange programs in New Jersey that aim to prevent the spreadof HIV/AIDS among injection drug users. The pilot program has been ineffect in Atlantic City since Nov. 27. A program in Camden isscheduled to launch this month, and programs in Newark and Patersonwill start this winter, Roseanne Scotti, director of the DrugPolicy Alliance of New Jersey, said (Urgo, PhiladelphiaInquirer, 12/24/07).

The NewJersey Department of Health and Senior Services in Augustapproved the establishment of three-year needle-exchange programs inthe four cities. Gov. Jon Corzine (D) in December 2006 signed intolaw a bill that allows six cities to establish needle-exchangeprograms and provides $10 million to drug treatment programs in thestate. The state health commissioner must report to the governor andstate Legislature on whether the needle-exchange programs areeffective. In addition, people who participate in and run theprograms are required to carry identification cards that protect themfrom being arrested for possessing drug paraphernalia. No statefunding will be allocated to the cities for operating needle-exchangeprograms.

To be eligible for the program, a city must have atleast 300 HIV/AIDS cases attributed to injection drug use per 100,000residents and at least 350 confirmed HIV/AIDS cases overall. Eachprogram will be required to report data on the number of peopleparticipating in the programs and referred to drug treatment, thestatus of their treatment and the number of syringes exchanged.According to state Health Commissioner Fred Jacobs, the data will beused to promote the expansion of the programs and will remainanonymous (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 8/2/07).

According tothe Inquirer, New Jersey is the last stateto implement needle-exchange programs. Supporters of the pilotprograms note that about 45% of New Jersey's new reported HIV casesinvolve infection due to injection drug use using contaminatedneedles. Some opponents of the programs have said needle exchangesappear to condone or promote injection drug use, the Inquirerreports.

The Atlantic City program isadministered by Healthand Human Services for Atlantic City and operates out of theSouthJersey AIDS Alliance's OasisCenter. Georgett Watson, program director of the alliance, saidthat in the first few weeks the program provided 90 clients with 11clean needles for every used needle clients returned. Two of theclients who came in to exchange needles have entered treatmentprograms, Watson said (Philadelphia Inquirer, 12/24/07).

Reprinted with permission fromkaisernetwork.org.You can view the entire KaiserDaily HIV/AIDS Report, search the archives, and signup for email delivery at kaisernetwork.org/email. The Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report is publishedfor kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser FamilyFoundation. 2007 Advisory Board Company and KaiserFamily Foundation. All rights reserved.