(Headline USA) The White House scrambled to come up with a defense this week after a report revealed the Department of Health and Human Services planned to distribute crack pipes to promote racial equity.
The plan was reportedly a part of a drug harm-reduction program that would distribute tens of millions of dollars to nonprofit groups and local governments across the country. Among the items the program would pay for were syringes and “safe smoking kits/supplies.”
However, HHS denied that this kit included actual crack pipes, but did not say what kinds of “safe smoking kits/supplies” would be included.
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. https://t.co/mCHlh5sqPf
— Sarah Lovenheim (@HHS_Spox) February 8, 2022
White House tale teller Jen Psaki agreed, claiming that allegation was “inaccurate.”
“They were never part of the kit,” she said. “It was inaccurate reporting, and we wanted to put out information to make that clear.”
WH Press Sec. Jen Psaki confirms crack pipes are not included in HHS “safe smoking kits” harm reduction program:
“They were never a part of the kit. It was inaccurate reporting.” pic.twitter.com/4zwYbbTjZy
— The Recount (@therecount) February 10, 2022
When asked what kinds of supplies the program would fund, Psaki claimed safe smoking kits could include alcohol swabs, lip balm, and “other materials to promote hygiene and reduce the transmission of diseases like HIV and hepatitis.”
“I would note that what we’re really talking about here is steps that we’re taking as a federal government to address the opioid epidemic,” Psaki said.
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., blasted Psaki’s obfuscation.
“Here is what I do know,” he said, according to the Daily Wire.
“The Biden Administration has taken $30 million from their emergency COVID bill and they are using it to facilitate the smoking of crack cocaine and crystal meth,” Kennedy said. “They say they can make it safer. And I say there is no way to make smoking crack cocaine or meth safer. It is like trying to put a filter on a cigarette.”
Other “harm reduction” equipment that qualifies for HHS funding include syringes, vaccinations, disease screenings, condoms, and fentanyl strips. The grant program will last three years and includes 25 awards of up to $400,000.
“They ought to talk straight to the American people and explain, ‘Look, you are right,” Kennedy said.
“We got caught trying to help people, make it easier for people to smoke crack, and it was a dumb thing to do and we reversed course.”
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., also disputed the Biden administration’s spin on the program, directly addressing Psaki’s blustering.
“To be clear: @HHSGov is giving taxpayer dollars to organizations to distribute crack pipes on behalf of HHS,” Cotton tweeted. “Just because HHS bureaucrats are not *personally* handing out the crack pipes doesn’t make this a good idea, @HHS_Spox.”
To be clear: @HHSGov is giving taxpayer dollars to organizations to distribute crack pipes on behalf of HHS.
Just because HHS bureaucrats are not *personally* handing out the crack pipes doesn’t make this a good idea, @HHS_Spox. https://t.co/tGsqtNR5TL
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) February 8, 2022
Headline USA’s Mark Pellin contributed to this report.
