December 21, 2021 — In an open letter sent to state lawmakers earlier today, more than 120 public health experts, clinical providers, academics, and recovery advocates called on the New Jersey Legislature to pass pending legislation (S3009/A4847) to expand syringe access services.

"We are losing a generation of loved ones and family members to the overdose crisis. In 2021, New Jersey is on track to lose more people to overdose deaths than ever previously recorded, with overdose death rates rising fastest among Black and Hispanic/Latinx residents," the letter reads.

Currently, syringe services are the only public health service in New Jersey that requires municipal approval before potential programs can begin zoning applications and other steps to opening — a hurdle that makes new programs nearly impossible to launch. Legislation to remove this barrier has already been approved by the Senate and Assembly Health Committees but has yet to receive a hearing in either chamber's budget committee.

"Despite the clear benefits of syringe access programs, New Jersey has woefully underutilized the lifesaving public health tool for decades. Restrictive syringe access laws are an undue and discriminatory barrier to healthcare for our patients, clients, and neighbors," the letter states.