N.J. panel approves needle sale bill aimed at IV drug users
New Jersey’s Assembly Health and Senior Services committee has advanced a bill to allow the sale of hypodermic needles to prevent blood-borne diseases among intravenous drug users.
NJ.com reports the full Assembly must now vote on the bill the Senate has already passed, which allows pharmacies to sell fewer than 10 needles to an adult without a prescription.
Though some legislators remain concerned about safety and proper disposal, many favor the bill that’s already passed in other states. The legislation targets IV drug users who need clean needles to prevent diseases like Hepatitis C and HIV.
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