New Jersey: Needle Exchange May Be Headed to Senate

On Monday, the state Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee is scheduled to take up a pair of bills that would allow the non-prescription sale of needles and permit municipalities to set up needle exchange programs. Despite the efforts of some state lawmakers for more than a decade, the measure has failed to gain Legislature approval. Although Democrats hold a five-to-three majority on the committee, Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Essex) has been a consistent opponent of needle exchange, keeping the measure deadlocked. But while he also opposes the measure, Sen. Robert Singer (R-Ocean) has said he will vote with the Democrats on Monday -- without recommending Senate passage -- so the full Senate can debate the issue.

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