8/7/2019 NJExec_Summary

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Executive Summary

Sponsored by Drug Policy Alliance New Jersey

16 West Front Street, Suite 101A, Trenton, NJ 08608 • Phone: 609-396-8613 • Fax: 609-396-9478

Email:nj@drugpolicy.org

New Jersey’s HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C EpidemicsIn New Jersey, the sharing of contaminated syringes has accounted for 41 percent of all HIV/AIDS

cases to date. New Jersey has the fifth highest number of adult HIV cases, the third highest

number of pediatric HIV cases, and the highest percentage of women infected with HIV in the

nation. In addition, the injection-related hepatitis C rate is rapidly rising, signaling a new public

health emergency.

The Solution is Greater Access to Sterile Syringes

Every medical, scientific and professional body to study the issue has concluded that access to

sterile syringes can reduce the spread of blood-borne diseases. Allowing greater access to sterile

syringes would:

  •  reduce the transmission of injection-related diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C  •  increase safe disposal of used syringes

  •  provide a bridge to effective drug treatment and other health services for injection drug users

  •  save New Jersey millions of dollars in health care costs

Non-Prescription Sale of Syringes in Pharmacies is Key

In 2006, New Jersey passed the Blood Borne Disease Harm Reduction Act which allows up to six

cities to establish syringe access programs. But the legislature failed to pass legislation which

would allow for the sale of limited numbers of syringes in pharmacies. This legislation would

allow individuals at risk for injection-related HIV and hepatitis C to protect themselves and others

from transmission of these deadly diseases. It would also allow diabetics and others who must

use injectable medications to more easily purchase needed syringes.

Most States Allow Non-Prescription Sale of Syringes

With the emergence of the HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C epidemics, many states have moved to allow

greater access to sterile syringes to prevent the spread of these deadly diseases. Only two

states (Delaware and New Jersey) completely prohibit the non-prescription sale of syringes.

Pennsylvania changed its law to allow for non-prescription pharmacy sale of syringes in 2009.

Conclusion

The time to act is now. New Jersey is losing thousands of lives and millions of dollars to totally

preventable diseases. By allowing for non-prescription sale of syringes, New Jersey will permit

those at risk of injection-related diseases to protect their own health by purchasing sterile syringes

in pharmacies, and make access to syringes easier for diabetics and others who must useinjectable medications.

The Campaign for a Healthier New Jersey supports New Jersey Senate Bill No. 958 and

Assembly Bill No.1088 which would allow for the sale of limited numbers of syringes in

pharmacies without a prescription.

New Jersey hasthe fifth highest

number of adult

HIV cases, the

third highest number 

of pediatric HIV

cases, and the

highest proportion

of women infected

with HIV in the

nation.

— New Jersey HIV/AIDS 

Surveillance Report,

June 2002 

New Jersey is one

of only two states

that completely

prohibit the non-

prescription sale

of syringes in

pharmacies.

— Temple University 

Beasley School of Law,

Project on Harm Reduction 

in the Health Care System.

Available at 

http://www.temple.edu/ lawschool/phrhcs/otc.htm