Inquirer Editorial: Syringe vote

The New Jersey Senate should pass a bill that will allow over-the-counter purchases of syringes in pharmacies without a prescription.

Every other state except Delaware permits such sales. It is sound public policy, and New Jersey should follow suit.

Lifting the ban would help curb the spread of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C by making clean needles available for easy purchase by drug addicts who might otherwise use contaminated needles.

It would also benefit insulin-dependent diabetics and others who use injectable medications. They could obtain syringes at a local drugstore more quickly without a prescription, which could be lifesaving.

A syringe costs only pennies, but could save millions in medical costs by preventing the spread of potentially deadly diseases. New Jersey ranks fifth nationally in AIDS cases, and injection-drug users account for nearly half of all cases.

The Senate bill, scheduled for a vote Thursday, has reasonable restrictions to prevent abuse by drug users. It would limit syringe purchases to 10 at a time.

This marks the first time that the full Senate has considered the over-the-counter bill, despite lobbying by advocates for years. A committee passed the measure last month by a 6-3 margin.

A similar bill that passed the Assembly in 2006 would have to be reconsidered and made compatible with the Senate bill.

New Jersey has lagged behind the rest of the country in taking reasonable steps to address a growing health crisis.

The Senate should approve a common-sense bill to help people take charge of their own health.