Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) have introduced the “Preventing Illicit Paraphernalia for Exchange Systems Act,” also known as the PIPES Act. This legislation is “To prohibit the use of Federal funds for local substance use disorder services for the purchase of sterile needles or syringes for the injection of illegal drugs, or to procure, supply, or distribute pipes, cylindrical objects, or other paraphernalia that can be used to smoke, inhale, or ingest narcotics.” Now, one might wonder why in the world would such a bill even need to be introduced? The short answer is because the Biden Administration, in all of its wisdom, got their hand caught in the taxpayer cookie jar to the tune of some $30 million.
Yes, you read it correctly—a $30 MILLION federal grant program for what White House press secretary Jen Psaki said would be distributed among drug addicts to promote hygiene and reduce the risk of spreading HIV and hepatitis. The explanation comes on the heels of a Department of Health and Human Services source who told the Washington Free Beacon that the Biden Administration was going to spend the money in part to fund the distribution of crack pipes to drug addicts as part of its plan to advance racial equality. The Free Beacon reported that a spokesman for the agency said the kits will provide pipes for users to smoke crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, and “any illicit substance.”
This led to the HHS having to cover its tracks with a statement saying that “no federal funding will be used directly or through subsequent reimbursement of grantees to put pipes in safe smoking kits.” But Psaki’s further clarifications said it was misinformation that crack pipes would be included in the safe smoking kits. She confirmed, however, the program, “is focused on harm reduction strategies, including prioritizing the use of fentanyl test strips and clean syringes.” So, the Free Beacon says HHS told it that crack pipes were part of the “safe smoking kits.” Psaki says crack pipes were never part of the “safe smoking kits.” But she confirmed that syringes are part of the “safe smoking kits.” In fact, the HHS Notice of Funding Opportunity specifies the requirement for clean syringes, safe sex kits and safe smoking kits/supplies.
All this language doesn’t prevent grantees from providing crack pipes. That’s why Manchin and Rubio introduced legislation to prohibit them. The legislation also prohibits “purchase of sterile needles or syringes for the injection of illegal drugs”—something seemingly overlooked in the whole crack pipe drama. Supply crack pipes to drug addicts to get them to stop taking drugs and destroying their lives. Same kind of nonsense that criminal activity will cease if there are no police to enforce laws. Or banning guns without considering that it takes someone to pull the trigger. Ecclesiastes 10:2 says, “A wise man’s heart directs him toward the right; but a fool’s heart directs him toward the left.” There you have it. This is just an example of the same old leftist crack pot politicians. Say it with me…Stupidocrisy.
