Two separate bills are moving forward in New Jersey regarding harm reduction efforts. First is A-4847. This bill would allow nonprofits and health care providers to open harm reduction centers. These centers would also receive approval from the state health commissioner. Second is A-5458. This would repeal a 1987 law which criminalizes the possession and distribution of syringes without medical prescriptions.
Harm Reduction Centers
Marleina Ubel is the policy analyst with New Jersey Policy Perspective. She recently testified before lawmakers about the importance of harm reduction centers, which could expand under A-4847.
“Harm reduction programs reduce the risk of overdose as those who have access to these programs are five times more likely to start drug treatment programs and three times more likely to stop chaotic substance use,” Ubel said. “Individuals with access to harm reduction programs are half as likely to acquire HIV or hepatitis C as those who do not have access to harm reduction programs, increasing the overall health of our communities.”
According to recent data, almost 2,800 people have died from overdoses so far in 2021 in New Jersey. If deaths continue to follow this trend, 2021 will be the deadliest drug overdose year for New Jersey.
Syringe Programs
The other move towards harm reduction in New Jersey will decriminalize syringes. Current law makes possession and distribution of sterile and hypodermic syringes illegal. This prevents individuals from accessing safe and clean needles. This can increase their chance of contracting bloodborne diseases, such as HIV and Hepatitis C.
A supporter of this bill, A-5458, is Dr. Jenn Olivia, a Professor of Law and Associate Dean at Seton Hall University School of Law. She explained the need for sterile syringe programs in New Jersey.
“Research proves that permitting individuals to use sterile syringes by decriminalizing their possession and expanding their availability improves health outcomes and saves lives,” Dr. Olivia explained. “When combined with other harm reduction interventions, the decriminalization of syringe possession and provision of sterile syringe services is associated with a 50 percent reduction in the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C.
“The state of New Jersey faces an important choice: ignore the evidence, keep the current criminal law in place, and risk exacerbating considerable public health harms OR follow the science, enact harm reduction legislation that will decriminalize syringe possession and fix the discriminatory and restrictive syringe access law, and, in so doing, save lives and taxpayer dollars,” she concluded.
In addition to allowing individuals access to safe syringes, litter and discarded syringes will reduce as well. There will be safe deposits for used syringes to keep the public safe at harm reduction locations.
Additional Changes
New Jersey isn’t the only state moving forward with harm reduction and safe syringe programs. Rhode Island became the first state to legalize safe consumption sites. These sites provide individuals with safely procured and untainted drugs. This helps prevent the overdose and death associated with drugs tainted with other contaminants, such as fentanyl. Harm reduction sites are locations where trained staff can monitor individuals who bring their own products. Additionally, they can react to an overdose in a timely manner.
California is also debating safe consumption sites, however the bill must wait until January to receive further discussion and move forward in the state’s General Assembly. Finally, Pennsylvania is hoping to open a consumption site, Safehouse, following a district court case after the United States Supreme Court decided not to take up their case.
Nevertheless, these sites are becoming more as the opioid crisis continues to soar across the country. As more information becomes available, we will update you with the latest.
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