The New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee has passed a needle-exchange bill on a 9-5 vote, although without a recommendation that the full Senate approve the measure, Gannett News reported Oct. 13.

The measure would authorize a $10-million needle-exchange pilot program to be set up in six communities; the money would be used, in part, to pay for additional addiction treatment and prevention services for needle-exchange clients.

"The legislation presents a tremendous opportunity for our treatment system to broaden its range and approach, as well as make a connection with those individuals in need who have not reached out for help," said Raquel Mazon Jeffers, acting director of the state Division of Addiction Services.

Republican members of the committee tried unsuccessfully to block state spending on syringes. "We have a lot of programs out there for drug addicts. Maybe that's what we should be looking into, strengthening the programs and getting addicts off the dependency of drugs," said Sen. Anthony R. Bucco (R-Boonton).

A Senate vote is expected after the November elections. The Assembly will vote on the bill by the end of the year; in past years, the Assembly passed similar legislation only to see it fail in the Senate.