We've been hearing about the government giving away free "Safe Smoking Kits" complete with a crack pipe for weeks now. This newly surfaced video shows an alleged kit and, well...you ready to hop down the rabbit hole on this one? Let's go...

1987: 'A CRACK PLAGUE IN QUEENS BRINGS VIOLENCE AND FEAR'
Spencer Platt // Getty Images
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In 2021, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced their new "harm reduction services" aimed at helping to reduce some of the negative impacts of drug abuse and addiction.

In a nutshell, the "harm reduction services" hope to make drug abuse...safer for addicts.

Is it really that crazy of an idea to provide free crack pipes to addicts?

Yes...and no.

Free Needle And Syringe Programs

In the Netherlands in the mid-1980s, the first government-approved initiative free needle exchange program was started.

The reason the program was started was because of a hepatitis-B outbreak in the Netherlands.

The thinking behind the free needle and syringe program was that addicts are still going to use no matter the risks so, might as well provide clean needles to at least combat the hepatitis-B problem.

It was a smart move. The NSP program worked and hepatitis-B cases began to decline.

Then, the AIDS pandemic took hold globally, and as a result, the free needle and syringe programs began in the U.S. and around the world.

 

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
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Harm Reduction Or Harm Minimization Philosophy

As mentioned before, the free needle program was based on the harm reduction philosophy.

From wikipedia.com -

"Harm reduction is used to decrease the negative consequences of recreational drug use and sexual activity without requiring abstinence, recognizing that those unable or unwilling to stop can still make a positive change to protect themselves and others."

If you've ever had an addict in your life, or are one yourself, you know all too well about this philosophy and its potential benefits.

Now, let's talk about this free crack pipe thing...

Crack Pipe Safe Smoking Kit
Twitter Via @KennethRWebster
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2022 Harm Reduction Program Grant

The $30 million 2022 Harm Reduction Program Grant was passed in December of 2021.

According to theweek.com, the grant documents "showed a long list of 'harm reduction activities' toward which municipalities and nonprofits could direct grant funds, and that list included 'safe smoking kits.'

So basically, municipalities and nonprofits who qualified to receive funding from the $30 million 2022 Harm Reduction Program Grant are allowed to use some of that grant money for "safe smoking kits" but only if they choose to do so.

Obviously, we've all been hearing about how President Biden is paying for free crack pipes using our tax dollars.

This has repeatedly been denied by the Biden administration.

But hold tight, we're going to try and follow the money...

What Is In The Safe Smoking Kits?

USAToday.com reports that earlier this February when asked what the "Safe Smoking Kits" contained, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, "A safe smoking kit may contain alcohol swabs, lip balm, other materials to promote hygiene and reduce the transmission of diseases like HIV and hepatitis."

From forbes.com -

"In a joint statement, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and the Office of National Drug Control Policy director Dr. Rahul Gupta also refuted the crack pipe story.

'No federal funding will be used directly or through subsequent reimbursement of grantees to put pipes in safe smoking kits,' Becerra and Gupta said. 'The goal of harm reduction is to save lives. We will continue working to address the addiction and overdose epidemic and ensure that our resources are used in the smartest and most efficient manner.'”

 

It's important to know that not all grants are federally funded. Grants can also be funded by state and local governments, as well as corporate and private donors.

According to who you ask, the $30 million for the 2022 Harm Reduction Program Grant isn't federally funded.

Or, in a very complicated system of money passing through countless hands, maybe the $30 million is actually federally funded when you finally get to the root of it.

Is there actually a crack pipe in the free "Safe Smoking Kits"?

The answer is "Yes" but apparently it depends on where you get the "Safe Smoking Kit".

The video above, posted to Twitter by Kenny Webster of Walton & Johnston, of what the man describes as "Biden's Crack Pipe" is from Being Alive Los Angeles.

In operation for 35 years, Being Alive Los Angeles describes itself as "Los Angeles County's first peer-driven organization for people living with HIV/AIDS specializing in supportive services, education, wellness, and self-empowerment."

In a post to their Facebook page, Being Alive Los Angeles announces the arrival of their new "Safer Smoking Kits". They also provide a picture and describe the contents of the kits.

 

As you can see, the description of the "Safer Smoking Kits" matches exactly what we see in the video.

Answering a question on Facebook, Be Alive Los Angeles explains where some of the funding for their "Safer Smoking Kits" comes from.

The "Safe Smoking Kits" are funded, in part by the 2022 Harm Reduction Program Grant.

The 2022 Harm Reduction Program Grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, which was signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021.

Where does the money for the American Rescue Plan Act come from?

According to nlc.org "the U.S. Department of the Treasury is responsible for overseeing this unprecedented program." 

 You can take a more detailed look at the U.S. Department of Treasury's role in the  American Rescue Plan Act HERE.

Now, the kits that Be Alive Los Angeles is giving out are called "Safer Smoking Kits", not "Safe Smoking Kits". Does that mean their kits aren't connected to Harm Reduction Program Grant?

 

 

 

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