MSNBC Fox And Newsweek Went Crazy With This Biden Administration Story About Crack Pipes

Newsweek announced today that the Biden Administration would be handing out free “crack pipes.” The federal government has yet to legalize marijuana for recreational or medicinal use, so handing out crack pipes sounded suspicious to me. Like the good little fact-finder I am, I am sad to announce that this appears to be the truth. But, it’s not the entire story.

The Harm Reduction Program

While conservative news outlets have been reporting that the administration was funding the distribution of crack pipes for drug users as they push toward racial equality, conservatives in Washington are probably screaming at the top of their lungs.

However, the “safe” smoking kits are just one piece of equipment on a list from the Department of Health and Human Services. Their grant application outlines 20 items for its Harm Reduction Program which to help reduce the spread of infection among drug users.

I’m surprised that it took this long for people to hear about this, considering that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, part of the HHS, issued the Notice of Funding for the program in December of 2021. With the deadline for applications being February 7th, it’s no wonder that the subject became newsworthy.

The entire purpose of a program like this is to support community-based overdose prevention programs, syringe services, and other harm reduction services. It’s all outlined in the 75-page application for the grant.

Funding from the grant will be used for prevention activities to “help control the spread of infectious diseases and consequent of such diseases for individuals with, or at risk of developing substance abuse problems.” One of the key requirements for receiving grant funding from the 30 Million dollars is that the recipients purchase equipment and supplies to reduce harm. There are 20 examples on the application.

• Harm reduction vending machine(s), including stock for machines
• Infections diseases testing kits (HIV, HBV, HCV, etc)
• Medication Lock Boxes
• FDA-Approved overdose reversal medications (as well as higher doses now FDA approved)
• Safe sex kits, including PrEP resources and condoms
• Safe smoking kits/supplies
• Screening for infectious diseases (HIV, STD infections, Viral Hepatitis)
• Sharps disposal and medication disposal kits
• Substance test kits, including test strips for fentanyl and other synthetic drugs
• Syringes to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases
• Vaccination services
• Wound care management supplies

These policies have been an ongoing trend for several years now, partly because of the opioid epidemic and the record number of deaths throughout the United States. However, the one thing that this policy screams, is liberalism. Liberal politics believes that it is better to put a bandaid on a problem than to correct or fix the problem. We’ve now given up on the drug war and the demons are at the gates. Instead of making moves to deter illegal drugs, aren’t we now saying, “It’s ok, do drugs if you have to, but let us help you be safer about it.”

Growing up hardcore narcotics were always something that people preached about to young people. We saw the effects of the crack cocaine epidemic in the 80s era. It was devastating to communities.

Is This What Is Meant By Racial Equality

Though the overall purpose of the program is not racial equality, applicants that are grant-funded will be obligated to develop a behavioral health disparity impact statement within 60 days of being funded.

The priority populations for this program are “underserved communities that are greatly impacted by substance use disorders,” the HHS document says. It goes on to explain that the disorders are defined by a Biden executive order, #13985.

Executive order 13985, according to President Biden on January 20, 2021, is the Federal Governments pursuit of a “comprehensive approach to advancing “equity” for all, including people of color and others that have been underserved, underrepresented, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.”

What does this sound like to you?

Final Thoughts

This just feels all wrong. Deterring the continued use and abuse of hardcore drugs in our country and getting people addicted to narcotics into treatment should be the way we move forward with the fight against drugs and their vile effect on communities.

For 23 years I was a public servant. During that time, I came to know many addicts. I’ve seen firsthand the pain and suffering of addicts. People delve into drugs for many reasons. By far, the most notable is to kill or forget some sort of mental pain or trauma. The results are the same, however, and carry with them an untold cost.

For every user, there is something they’re not saying. Whether it’s fear of being judged or shame that they feel as users, they keep things to themselves. Then, eventually, they open up like anyone. People end up prostituting themselves, stealing, robbing, and murdering over drugs. What they could have been remains lost to the world, as they succumb to a deep dark hole that’s incredibly tough to get out of.

I understand the policies that this grant is for and they are extremely questionable. It’s been tried in cities around the country. The results are hit and miss.

When you look into the policy, and I sincerely hope you examine the Biden administration's expenditures on this shameful use of a bandaid, pay special attention to where it's’ aimed at. I would have to say, that any policy that is aimed in a direction that keeps people doing drugs, makes it safer, and less of a deterrent is a mistake and does that community a deep disservice. But, that’s just my opinion after seeing someone die from an opioid overdose.

Crack and Heroin are something that has been called the “Devils” drug. There is no more apt nickname than that.

Resources:

Samhsa.gov

HHS.gov