Needle program reduces harm, gets some into treatment

There are studies, and there are people like Vincent. I met Vincent at the North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI) in Newark. The organization runs one of four needle-exchange pilot programs approved by the state. This week, I walked in behind what looked to be white suburban kids, about college age. One was holding a McDonald's bag, but I didn't smell hamburgers or fries. You bring old dirty needles to NJCRI to get new clean ones, no questions asked.

NJCRI also gives away alcohol wipes, antibiotic creams, little metal "cookers" and "sharps" containers to store needles, so no one — a child? a cop patting down a suspect? — gets pricked accidently.

Vincent is from Newark, a 46-year-old worn down from using heroin since his early 20s. He said he did odd jobs to support his habit. He also did 18 months on shoplifting charges in the Hudson County Jail, where he said there is a drug rehab program. He was on a waiting list because he was not arrested on a drug
charge. "Why were you shoplifting?" I asked. We nodded in silent recognition of the obvious — that was one of those odd jobs.

He was released, with a little money from a jail work program. The first time he shot up, he told himself it was to take the edge off the stress of having no place to live and no job. But soon, he was back to life as he knew it before he was locked up.

Someone told him about getting free needles at NJCRI. He tried it. He told others. The NJCRI staff asked him about getting into treatment. The organization has slots reserved at the methadone clinic in Newark, so usually there is no wait.

Vincent took the offer. He started receiving medical care through the program and found out he has hepatitis C. But he's no longer on heroin, not stealing and not spreading his infection. NJCRI gives him and others a place to shower and wash clothes, and stay off the street during the day.

Bob Baxter, the organization's director of addiction prevention and education services, said NJCRI sends about 180 people to treatment each year. The main goal of the program, which distributes about 180,000 needles a year, is harm reduction. I like the side effect of getting people into treatment.

New Jersey soon will allow people to buy syringes at pharmacies without a prescription. Over-the-counter sales will make a difference for those with enough means that they don't have to choose between buying needles and buying dope. Baxter said the change is welcomed for harm reduction. He expects it will reduce NJCRI's suburban visitors.

The free needle-exchange programs exist for the people who, if they had to make the choice, would spend on drugs, not needles. There is no public funding. A federal funding ban was lifted by the Obama administration, but recently reinstated by Congress.

NJCRI depends on private grants, which have been drying up. "Programs gave money to get us started, not to keep us running," Baxter explained.

I also spoke to "Cindy," a 47-year-old wizened by drug use. She lives in a friend's apartment, collects disability payments and gets some help from relatives. She has given up the street life, comes to NJCRI during the day and tries to limit her drug use.

Self-preservation? "Why not get into treatment?" I ask. She hugged her knees and said, "You have to be ready ...  These two legs have to get up and take you."