But five states still consider it a crime to distribute syringes without a prescription.

Many of the items in the policy will cost money, like printing pamphlets, distributing syringes and dispatching department workers to various projects.

Although heroin is readily available and the Government distributes syringes and methadone, there are only 20,000 addicts in a population of 16 million.

Jon Struan-Parker, who runs the AIDS Brigade, which distributes clean syringes, agrees with the addicts.

Because AIDS spreads as addicts share needles, some public health officials favor distributing sterile syringes to inhibit the disease.

A handful of such programs, including one in New York City, also distribute clean needles and syringes.

If the state legalized needle exchanges, the Chai Project would quickly begin distributing clean syringes, Mr. Petillo said, because "this is a very important issue for us."

Coupled with drug treatment and prevention programs would be institution of needle exchanges, which would distribute clean syringes to individuals who use heroin and other injection-based narcotics.

The organization distributes syringes six days a week.

A jury quickly acquitted him this month of illegally distributing syringes, but the dispute is not really over.