(09/18/06) TRENTON ? State Senator Ron Rice (D-28th District) offered some heated criticism in Trenton Monday to a proposed needle exchange program.

The plan would allow intravenous drug users to exchange their used needles for clean syringes. However, Rice feels the program will only encourage drug users to keep destroying their lives. The senator says in his district, the plan amounts to genocide. According to Rice, ?money people? and drug policy networks are fueling the program.

Supporters say the exchange will reduce the spread of certain diseases, mainly HIV and Hepatitis C. They also claim the program will present an opportunity for health experts to help drug addicts with their sickness. Rice says treatment should be the focus of any anti-drug plan, but not at the risk of eliminating the population it affects most.