RELEASE: Syringe access expansion laws passed by New Jersey Senate and Assembly

RELEASE: Syringe entry growth legal guidelines handed by New Jersey Senate and Meeting

January 10, 2022 — At the moment, the New Jersey Legislature handed far-reaching laws, sponsored by Senator Joseph Vitale and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri-Huttle, to develop entry to syringe providers, that are important public well being instruments to finish the overdose disaster. 

The Syringe Entry Invoice (S-3009/A-4847) will develop entry to important syringe entry applications (SAP) all through the state by eradicating the restrictive municipal ordinance requirement and aligning SAPs with different public well being providers. The Syringe Decrim Invoice (S-3493/A-5458) will decriminalize possession of syringes and permit for expungement of earlier convictions. 

“This can be a big win for public well being. The overdose disaster has raged on throughout the COVID pandemic with reported overdose deaths larger than ever earlier than,” mentioned Senator Joseph Vitale. “Hurt discount facilities present important providers to these affected by substance use dysfunction and this invoice will tremendously develop their footprint so everybody in want can have entry to those lifesaving assets.”

“The reality is that hurt discount providers save numerous lives each single 12 months right here in New Jersey,” mentioned Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle. “Hurt discount is about main with empathy and dealing to seek out assets, not penalties. We should do every little thing we will to assist and develop these providers to achieve all of our communities.”

According to the CDC, individuals who have entry to syringe service applications are much less prone to die from a deadly overdose, 5 instances extra prone to begin a drug therapy program, thrice extra prone to cease chaotic drug use all collectively, and 50 p.c much less prone to purchase HIV and Hepatitis C than individuals with out entry.

“This invoice is a game-changer because it lifts the only largest barrier to new syringe entry applications opening within the state,” mentioned Jenna Mellor, Government Director of New Jersey Hurt Discount Coalition. “Hurt discount is one of the best software now we have to finish the overdose disaster, and this laws will be sure that residents in each nook of New Jersey have entry to this lifesaving care. New Jersey is shedding extra residents to overdose deaths than ever earlier than, so we can not proceed enterprise as regular. We applaud Senator Vitale and Assemblywoman Huttle for championing this laws to develop entry to syringe exchanges, saving the Oasis Drop-In Heart in Atlantic Metropolis, and for recognizing the dignity and humanity of people that use medicine.”

“South Jersey AIDS Alliance applauds the New Jersey Legislature’s daring act in defending and increasing syringe entry in New Jersey. At the moment’s vote secures well being providers for among the state of New Jersey’s most susceptible residents,” mentioned Carol Harney, CEO of South Jersey AIDS Alliance, which operates the Oasis Drop-In Heart in Atlantic Metropolis. “Hurt Discount applications have a confirmed historical past of lowering the incident fee of HIV/ AIDS and different bloodborne pathogens and offering a bridge to drug therapy and nonjudgmental care. I commend our legislators for trusting science slightly than stigma.”

“This can be a joyous second for individuals who use medicine all throughout our state, and a reminder that all of us deserve entry to dignified care. In passing these hurt discount payments at the moment, our elected leaders have chosen the well being and dignity of all of us — their constituents — over stigma and discrimination,” mentioned Caitlin O’Neill, Director of Hurt Discount Companies at New Jersey Hurt Discount Coalition. “Many lives shall be saved with the growth of hurt discount facilities and the decriminalization of syringes in New Jersey, and lots of peoples’ inherent worth and humanity shall be strengthened. That is one step in the direction of New Jersey ending the overdose disaster, repairing the harms of the racist drug conflict, and eventually constructing the methods of care that can preserve all of us alive and safer — regardless of the place we lay our heads. Now onwards in the direction of implementation!”

“This laws permits for the growth of syringe entry providers, which is critically crucial. New Jersey has been onerous hit by the overdose disaster, and growth of lifesaving providers will make sure that we will present providers to these most in want, and that we will do that the place knowledge signifies a necessity,” mentioned Axel Torres Marrero, Senior Director of Public Coverage and Prevention at Hyacinth AIDS Basis. “Public well being will paved the way in service provision. We’re so grateful to our sponsors, Senators Vitale, Gopal and Gill, together with Assemblymembers Huttle, Quijana, and Verrelli.”

“An enormous due to the New Jersey legislators who selected public well being over parochialism and enacted a legislation that can enhance well being outcomes and save our neighbors’ lives. Everybody deserves entry to evidence-based well being providers,” mentioned Jennifer Oliva, Professor and Director of the Heart for Well being and Pharmaceutical Regulation at Seton Corridor College Faculty of Regulation. 

“The passing of this invoice is a big accomplishment for public well being within the state of New Jersey.  Our Hurt Discount advocates all through the state will now have improved entry to our most susceptible communities,” mentioned Shannon Preston, Director of HIV Neighborhood Companies at Visiting Nurse Affiliation of Central Jersey. “This isn’t nearly syringe entry websites, that is about growing the well being and wellness of complete communities by way of improved entry to healthcare, overdose prevention, supportive providers and schooling.”

“The Syringe Entry Invoice will increase the chance for shoppers to have simpler entry to providers and assets inside their communities,” mentioned Martha Chavis, Government Director and CEO of Camden Space Well being Training Heart. 

“That is what a public well being strategy to the overdose disaster seems to be like,” mentioned Marleina Ubel, Coverage Analyst at New Jersey Coverage Perspective (NJPP). “Hurt discount providers, like these offered at syringe exchanges, meet individuals the place they’re at and assist them not solely keep alive however thrive. We commend the invoice sponsors and advocates who made this laws attainable and strongly urge Governor Murphy to signal this into legislation.”

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New Jersey Hurt Discount Coalition promotes hurt discount by distributing naloxone, fentanyl check steps, and different hurt discount provides by way of peer-led applications; advocates for syringe entry growth and equitable drug coverage reform; and organizes to construct energy amongst individuals instantly harmed by overdose and the Warfare on Medicine. 

To request naloxone (model title Narcan) and safer use provides, mailed without spending a dime and confidentially all through New Jersey, name/textual content 1-877-4NARCAN or go to www.nextdistro.org/newjersey

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