N.J. may allow syringe purchases without prescription

New Jersey lawmakers are considering a measure that would make it easier to buy syringes. The legislation would allow anyone over 18 to purchase up to 10 sterile needles at a drugstore without a prescription.Sen. Loretta Weinberg, one of the bill’s primary sponsors, said Friday the change would help diabetes patients get the syringes they need as well as slowing the spread of disease from drug users sharing dirty needles.”This is a way to make certain that those people who might already be drug users will at least try to make sure that they don’t get AIDS or they don’t pass it on to their partners,” Weinberg said.Pharmacies would be required to give purchasers written information about drug treatment.  New Jersey authorized a needle-exchange program four years ago, but only five cities participate in it.