{"id":1289002,"date":"2022-02-10T10:33:43","date_gmt":"2022-02-10T15:33:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1289002"},"modified":"2022-02-10T16:37:02","modified_gmt":"2022-02-10T21:37:02","slug":"would-the-biden-administration-have-paid-for-crack-pipes-lets-find-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/would-the-biden-administration-have-paid-for-crack-pipes-lets-find-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Would The Biden Administration Have Paid For Crack Pipes? Let\u2019s Find Out"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwould-the-biden-administration-have-paid-for-crack-pipes-lets-find-out%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1289002&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/GettyImages-1235605174-e1644521714417-1.jpg\" class=\"ff-og-image-inserted\" alt=\"image\" \/><\/div>\n<p>In recent days, a debate has surfaced between The Washington Free Beacon and the Biden administration, regarding the accuracy of a claim made by the media outlet that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) could have paid for crack pipes to be distributed to drug addicts as part of a \u201cHarm Reduction Program.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In order to determine whether <span>the Biden administration\u2019s program <\/span><i><span>would have<\/span><\/i><span> or <em>could have <\/em>allowed for crack pipes to be distributed, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted on February 9 by The Daily Wire\u2019s Ian Haworth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Here is everything you need to know about the \u201ccrack pipe\u201d saga:<\/p>\n<p><b>February 7 \u2014 Deadline for Harm Reduction Program grant applications<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>Applications were due on February 7, 2022, for Harm Reduction Program grants through the HHS\u2019s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cThe purpose of the program is to support community-based overdose prevention programs, syringe services programs, and other harm reduction services,\u201d the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/grants\/pdf\/fy22-harm-reduction-nofo.pdf#page=8\"><span>program<\/span><\/a><span> explains. The estimated total funding available is $29.25 million over 3 years, with an estimated 25 awards of up to $400,000 per year available. Projects have an anticipated award date of May 15, 2022, and an anticipated start date of May 30, 2022.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Equipment and supplies to \u201cenhance harm reduction efforts\u201d are listed to include \u201csafe smoking kits\/supplies,\u201d and \u201csyringes to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cHarm reduction programs that use federal funding must adhere to federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and other requirements related to such programs or services,\u201d the program added.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>February 7 \u2014 The Washington Free Beacon Report<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>The Washington Free Beacon first published an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/freebeacon.com\/biden-administration\/biden-admin-to-fund-crack-pipe-distribution-to-advance-racial-equity\/\"><span>article<\/span><\/a><span> titled, \u201cBiden Admin To Fund Crack Pipe Distribution To Advance \u2018Racial Equity.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cThe Biden administration is set to fund the distribution of crack pipes to drug addicts as part of its plan to advance \u201cracial equity,\u2019\u201d the article claimed. According to the outlet, they confirmed with a spokesman for HHS that \u201csmoking kits\/supplies\u201d would \u2014 at least in part \u2014 \u201cprovide pipes for users to smoke crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, and \u2018any illicit substance.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>For additional context, existing \u201c<\/span><span>smoking kit\u201d programs in cities such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/foxbaltimore.com\/news\/local\/crack-pipes-is-where-we-draw-the-line-safe-smoking-kits-draw-backlash-in-aaco\"><span>Annapolis<\/span><\/a><span>, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhregister.com\/news\/article\/New-Haven-police-to-distribute-crack-pipes-15035802.php\"><span>New Haven<\/span><\/a><span>, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfexaminer.com\/news\/sf-group-handing-out-free-crack-pipe-kits-expects-to-expand\/\"><span>San Francisco,<\/span><\/a><span> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-usa-drugs-seattle\/largest-u-s-needle-exchange-tries-free-meth-pipes-in-seattle-idUSKBN0NZ11U20150514\"><span>Seattle<\/span><\/a><span> all include smoking pipes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>February 8 <span>\u2014<\/span> Snopes Fact-Check<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>Fact-checking organization, Snopes, published a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.snopes.com\/fact-check\/biden-crack-pipes-racial-equity\/\"><span>fact-check<\/span><\/a><span> titled, \u201cDid Biden Admin \u2018Fund Crack Pipes\u2019 To \u2018Advance Racial Equity\u2019?\u201d The article <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/news\/mostly-false-free-crack-pipes-how-fact-checkers-debunked-reality-again\"><span>initially<\/span><\/a><span> determined that the claim,\u200b\u200b \u201c[i]n early 2022, the Biden administration endeavored to advance racial equity by distributing crack pipes to drug users,\u201d was \u201cMostly False.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>This rating was based on the argument that while \u201c[i]n 2022, a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services substance abuse harm reduction grant did require recipients to provide safer smoking kits to existing drug users,\u201d and that \u201c[i]n distributing grants, priority would be given to applicants serving historically underserved communities,\u201d this program was \u201cjust one of around 20 components of the grant program and far from its most prominent or important one, despite being the primary focus of outraged news reports.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cThe purpose of the program was to reduce harm and the risk of infection among drug users, not to advance racial equity, although that was a secondary consideration,\u201d Snopes added.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Snopes then updated the fact-check with the rating, \u201cOutdated,\u201d because of a later stipulation by HHS that \u201c<\/span><span>federal funding would not be used to include pipes in safe smoking kits.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>February 8&nbsp;<span>\u2014 <\/span>Lead Stories Fact-Check<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>Facebook fact-checking partner, Lead Stories, then published a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/leadstories.com\/hoax-alert\/2022\/02\/fact-check-biden-administration-is-not-funding-crack-pipes-heroin-for-drug-use.html\"><span>fact-check<\/span><\/a><span>&nbsp;titled, \u201cFact Check: Biden Administration Is NOT Funding \u2018Crack Pipes, Heroin\u2019 For Drug Use.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The fact-check included an email to Lead Stories from a HHS spokesperson, who described the crack pipe claim as \u201cmisleading and misinformed\u201d:<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em><span>\u201cEvidence-based community harm reduction services such as naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and syringe services programs help people stay alive and are proven strategies for addressing this tragic epidemic. The Harm Reduction Grant Program offered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is designed to put these services within reach for Americans who are struggling with substance use so they can stay healthy and safe, avoid overdose death, and find pathways into evidence-based treatments.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span>The fact-check referenced Sarah Lovenheim, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at HHS. She responded to Sec. Marco Rubio\u2019s February 8 comments, describing them as \u201cblatant misinformation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cThe Harm Reduction grant is designed to help folks struggling with substance use stay healthy and safe, prevent overdose death. The grants must stick to federal, state, local laws or regs,\u201d she tweeted.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Blatant misinformation. The Harm Reduction grant is designed to help folks struggling with substance use stay healthy and safe, prevent overdose death. The grants must stick to federal, state, local laws or regs. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/HXRCrEM3tD\">https:\/\/t.co\/HXRCrEM3tD<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Sarah Lovenheim (@HHS_Spox) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HHS_Spox\/status\/1491071549558124545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 8, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span>Later that afternoon, Lovenheim refuted the claims again, this time responding to Sen. Tom Cotton.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cTo be clear: HHS is not distributing crack pipes. The grants fund harm reduction efforts by organizations, in full adherence of state and local laws,\u201d Lovenheim tweeted.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">To be clear: HHS is not distributing crack pipes. The grants fund harm reduction efforts by organizations, in full adherence of state and local laws. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/mCHlh5sqPf\">https:\/\/t.co\/mCHlh5sqPf<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Sarah Lovenheim (@HHS_Spox) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HHS_Spox\/status\/1491163603084640257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 8, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><b>February 9 \u2014 HHS press release<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and the Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Dr. Rahul Gupta released a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/about\/news\/2022\/02\/09\/statement-hhs-secretary-xavier-becerra-and-ondcp-director-rahul-gupta.html\"><span>statement<\/span><\/a><span>:<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em><span>\u201cHHS and ONDCP are focused on using our resources smartly to reduce harm and save lives. Accordingly, no federal funding will be used directly or through subsequent reimbursement of grantees to put pipes in safe smoking kits. The goal of harm reduction is to save lives. The Administration is focused on a comprehensive strategy to stop the spread of drugs and curb addiction, including prioritizing the use of proven harm reduction strategies like providing naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and clean syringes, as well as taking decisive actions to go after violent criminals who are trafficking illicit drugs like fentanyl across our borders and into our communities. 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.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><b>February 9 \u2014 Jen Psaki rejects report<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>Speaking with reporters, White House press secretary Jen Psaki <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/news\/jen-psaki-says-crack-pipe-plans-are-false-smoking-kits-contain-alcohol-swabs-lip-balm-other-materials\"><span>refuted<\/span><\/a><span> the accuracy of the initial report.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cHHS just put out a statement clarifying around some of the reports that crack pipes are not going to be part of the safe smoking kits funded by the administration,\u201d Fox News\u2019 Jacqui Heinrich <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CurtisHouck\/status\/1491484579965853698\"><span>asked<\/span><\/a><span>. \u201cBut can you clarify for us, were they never a part of the kit, or were they removed in response to this reporting and this pushback?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cThey were never a part of the kit. It was inaccurate reporting and we wanted to put out information to make that clear,\u201d Psaki responded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Psaki then went on to state that \u201c[Safe Smoking Kits] may contain alcohol swabs, lip balm, other materials to promote hygiene and reduce the transmission of diseases like HIV and hepatitis.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Psaki on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PatrickHauf?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@PatrickHauf<\/a>&#8216;s <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FreeBeacon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@FreeBeacon<\/a> story about crack pipes: &#8220;They were never a part of the kit. It was inaccurate reporting and we wanted to put out information to make that clear.&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/4oUBM9MQQ7\">pic.twitter.com\/4oUBM9MQQ7<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CurtisHouck\/status\/1491485916808065031?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 9, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><b>February 9 \u2014 The Washington Free Beacon doubles down<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>On the evening of February 9, The Washington Free Beacon <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/freebeacon.com\/biden-administration\/biden-admin-says-pipes-not-included-in-taxpayer-funded-crack-smoking-kits\/\"><span>reported<\/span><\/a><span> on the events listed above, following their initial article.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201c<\/span><span>An HHS spokesman initially confirmed to the <\/span><i><span>Free Beacon<\/span><\/i><span> that the kits provided through the grant program were designed to smoke crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, as well as \u2018any illicit substance,\u2019\u201d The Free Beacon reiterated. \u201cAfter publication of a report on the funding, HHS backtracked in a Tuesday statement that labeled the story \u2018blatant misinformation.\u2019 When asked to explain what part of the story was incorrect, a spokesman said the story is \u2018misleading and misinformed\u2019 but declined to provide any information to refute the report.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The report also noted that the Harm Reduction Grant program document does not explain what is and is not included in a funded \u201csmoking kit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201c<\/span><span>[A]n HHS spokesman told the <\/span><i><span>Free Beacon <\/span><\/i><span>that it \u201cdoes not specify the kits\u2019 elements\u201d but \u201conly the parameters,\u201d the outlet added. \u201cThe stated parameters in the government grant are any \u2018equipment and supplies\u2019 that \u2018enhance harm reduction efforts,\u2019 and \u2018smoking kits\u2019 are included as eligible equipment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cUnsafe smoking practices can lead to open sores, burns and cuts on the lips, and can increase the risk of infection among people who smoke drugs,\u201d said HHS spokesman Chris Garrett, according to the Free Beacon. \u201cSafe smoking kits have been identified to reduce the spread of disease.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>February 9 \u2014 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request submitted<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>The core issue at the center of this story is whether or not the initial claim \u2014 that the Biden administration\u2019s Harm Reduction Grant program <\/span><i><span>would have<\/span><\/i><span> or <em>could have<\/em> allowed for crack pipes to be distributed \u2014 is true.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The Washington Free Beacon has defended their initial report, in which they claim an HHS spokesperson admitted that the program would <\/span><span>\u201cprovide pipes for users to smoke crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, and \u2018any illicit substance.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>This clearly conflicts with the latest messaging from the Biden administration, including the February 9 press release and the comments made by White House press secretary Jen Psaki.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>In order to determine whether crack pipes were explicitly or implicitly permitted as part of this program prior to the Washington Free Beacon report, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted on February 9.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>This asked the <\/span><span>Department of Health and Human Services \u2014 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to provide \u201c[a]ll internal and external communications from January 20th, 2021 until present (including memos and emails)\u201d which mentioned any of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span>Pipe or pipes<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span>Glass pipe or glass pipes<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span>Crack, crack cocaine, or crack pipe<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span>Smoking kit<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span>Harm Reduction Program grant.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">1\/x: Yesterday, the Biden admin rejected a <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FreeBeacon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@FreeBeacon<\/a> report that <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HHSGov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@HHSGov<\/a> would fund the distribution of crack pipes to drug addicts as part of a safe smoking kit.<\/p>\n<p>Last night, I submitted an FOIA request to find out the truth.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a brief timeline of this issue: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Bm4Hm4SGLa\">pic.twitter.com\/Bm4Hm4SGLa<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Ian Haworth (@ighaworth) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ighaworth\/status\/1491857699415511044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 10, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>When a response is received, an update will be provided.<\/p>\n<p><i><span>Ian Haworth is an Editor and Writer for The Daily Wire. Follow him on Twitter at<\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ighaworth\"><i><span> @ighaworth<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i>The views expressed in this opinion piece are the author\u2019s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span>The Daily Wire is one of America\u2019s fastest-growing conservative media companies and counter-cultural outlets for news, opinion, and entertainment. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a<\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/subscribe\"><i><span> member<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In recent days, a debate has surfaced between The Washington Free Beacon and the Biden administration, regarding the accuracy of a claim made by the media outlet that the Department &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2315279,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1289002","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1289002","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1289002"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1289002\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2315279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1289002"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1289002"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1289002"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}