The purpose of this studio is to study the provision and implementation of HRC’s (Harm Reduction Centers) in New Jersey by directive of the public law signed into effect in 2021. In addition to existing HRC’s in 7 different locations, the NJDOH (Department of Health) is specifically interested in the implementation of vending machines and mobile units.
We will investigate challenges to implementation, including legal municipal issues, placement and community organization affiliation. By using municipal zoning law and case studies, we hope to contribute to existing research.
Key Findings: New Jersey HRCs
- Local Authority: New Jersey municipalities maintain local control over zoning and land use.
- Diverse Zoning Codes and Implementation: Zoning regulations vary across cities. The application and interpretation of zoning codes can vary, necessitating a collaborative approach with local planning officials. Many HRCs have experienced zoning challenges, but some HRCs have not.
- ‘Inherently Beneficial’ Definition: HRCs are not universally recognized as inherently beneficial in zoning codes, complicating their acceptance and integration. Camden AHEC was able to gain the City’s support in defining them as such a use through extensive location analysis to demonstrate their operations did not cause a public nuisance.
- Permit Requirements: Most cities require permits for vending machines.
- Ambiguity in Regulations: Due to the lack of specific mention in many city regulations, the status of HRCs falls into a gray area requiring interpretation of zoning codes.
- Funding and Real Estate Challenges. All HRCs cited funding as a major challenge, including how they can use different funding sources. In addition to funding, some HRCs face challenges in opening new facilities because of volatile and expensive real estate markets. Some grants have limits on the proportion of spending on rent and other overhead expenses, which makes it difficult to find suitable facilities.
- Syringe Disposal: New Jersey HRCs provide crucial syringe disposal services for clients that use their syringe programs as well as any other member of the community.
- Community Pushback. NJ HRCs experienced a variety of reactions from neighbors. NJCRI in Newark experiences support from nearby residents, while Hyacinth and Camden AHEC faced significant pushback from nearby residents
- Stigma: Some HRCs (particularly Camden AHEC) find challenges in keeping their clients’ confidentiality safe from public view and purposefully make their locations visually nondescript. This makes clients feel safer receiving services.
Students
- Kabir Premlani
- Jaewon Shin
- Jainy Shah
- Raveena Bandaru
- James Barnett
- Nathaniel Lange
- Alisa Wyrick
- Joanna Freedman
- Katie Jurenka
- Prajwal Nagendra