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New Jersey residents: Your faxes are working! Drug Policy Alliance recently launched our Campaign for a Healthier New Jersey Fall '06 Initiative and we asked you to urge the legislature and governor to take up sterile syringe access as soon as possible. Now the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee has scheduled hearings on our syringe access bills! On Monday, September 18th at 10 AM the committee will hold hearings on Senate Bills 494 and 823. These bills would allow the establishment of municipal syringe access programs and the sale of up to ten syringes in pharmacies without a prescription.

Help us get this life-saving legislation passed! Urge the members of the New Jersey Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee to vote yes on S494 and S823. Together we can get these bills passed and save lives in New Jersey.

New Jersey has the 5th highest number of adult HIV cases, the 3rd highest number of pediatric HIV cases, and the highest proportion of women infected in the nation. New Jersey's rate of infection related to the sharing of contaminated syringes is almost twice the national average. More than 15,000 New Jerseyans have died from HIV/AIDS contracted from contaminated syringes. More than 15,000 other New Jerseyans are living with HIV/AIDS caused by the sharing of contaminated syringes. We have been fighting the battle against HIV/AIDS in New Jersey with one hand tied behind our backs. It is time to start fighting in earnest. It is time to pass sterile syringe access legislation!

Please take a moment to send a fax to the members of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee telling them to vote yes on this life-saving legislation.Â*

Over the coming weeks we will keep you updated on the progress of our Campaign for a Healthier New Jersey Fall '06 Initiative and tell you how you can continue to support life-saving syringe access legislation in New Jersey. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Roseanne Scotti
Drug Policy Alliance New Jersey
http://www.nooked.com/news/itemtrack...0da3b36da92cd7

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