Hypodermic needle legislation pulled from Senate agenda
 

A bill which would allow state residents to sell and possess hypodermic syringes and needles was pulled Dec. 4 from the agenda of the Senate Commerce Committee. According to the New Jersey Catholic Conference, S-2794 is expected to resurface in another form during the next legislative session.

The NJCC recently issued a statement opposing the proposed legislation because it believes the underlying purpose of changing New Jersey statutes is to permit needle exchange programs to take place for intravenous drug users. The legislation, stated the NJCC, would be ineffective in ending the spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and sends a dangerous message to children.

In a letter from Dr. George Corwell, the NJCC’s associate director for education; the state’s Catholic school superintendents, ALLIANCE directors and diocesan directors of religious education and youth ministry were thanked for their participation in opposing this legislation.