New NJ Drug Law Ends ‘Legal Jeopardy’ For Harm Reduction Workers

NEWARK, NJ — An “overdose response team” in Newark is among the groups that is cheering for a new state law that allows advocates to add some new supplies to their harm reduction arsenals.

On Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy signed S-3957/A- 5630, which will allow harm reduction centers in the state to distribute some supplies that they were previously banned from using.

Prior to the law, centers in New Jersey were allowed to distribute naloxone and other opioid antidotes, fentanyl test strips and clean syringes. Now, they’ll be permitted to hand out several previously banned items, including test strips for xylazine, a sedative for animals that has been increasingly used as an adulterant in the illicit drug supply.

Elizabeth Ruebman, policy director of the Newark Community Street Team, said the bill will allow its Overdose Response Team and Harm Reduction Center to distribute life-saving, harm-reduction supplies that were previously illegal, which “created significant obstacles for our teams who are working tirelessly to save lives.”

“Make no mistake: fewer New Jerseyans will die thanks to this bill,” Ruebman said.

Sponsors of the legislation include Sen. Joseph Vitale and Assembly members Herb Conaway Jr., Sadaf Jaffer and Shanique Speight.

Speight – who represents the 29th Legislative District, including Newark – said that advocates such as the Newark Community Street Team will no longer face “legal jeopardy” for supplying or possessing essential harm reduction materials.

“By exempting certain supplies from drug paraphernalia laws, including harm reduction supplies, we are demonstrating our commitment to a more compassionate and understanding approach to substance use issues,” Speight said.

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