NJ A658

Requires the Department of Health to establish tapering protocols for safely discontinuing benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics (such as alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, zolpidem), encouraging use of the Ashton manual and allowing patients to taper at a rate determined by their symptoms

Mandates creation and distribution of a cautionary pamphlet to patients covering misuse risks, dependency and addiction dangers, proper storage and disposal, and treatment resources

Prohibits practitioners and pharmacists from prescribing or dispensing these medications without providing the pamphlet and collecting a signed patient consent form

Limits prescriptions to a maximum of four weeks unless there is a proven medical need or exception, and requires bold warning labels about dependence and addiction risks

Exempts practitioners and pharmacists who treat or dispense medication to patients in long-term care facilities; takes effect 180 days after enactment