New Jersey Gubernatorial Candidates Schundler, McGreevey Oppose ‘Unfettered’ Needle-Exchange Programs, Needle Sales Without Prescription
New Jersey gubernatorial candidates Bret Schundler (R) and Jim McGreevey (D) last night discussed needle-exchange programs in their third debate, the Associated Press reports. Both candidates said that they oppose "unfettered" needle-exchange programs through public clinics and sales of needles without a prescription. Schundler said he "did not believe" studies that show that needle-exchange programs reduce the spread of HIV. However, McGreevey said that he would consider a hospital-administered needle-exchange pilot program "so it could be more closely monitored" than programs running out of public clinics or pharmacies. According to a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday, McGreevey leads Schundler 49% to 35%, with a four-point margin of error (Siegel, Associated Press, 10/18).
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