WATCH: Jen Psaki Addresses Disinformation Over “Crack Pipe” Handouts
Recent stories circulating in right-wing media suggest that President Biden and his Administration have a plan to hand out free crack pipes to drug addicts, at, of course, the taxpayers’ expense. When Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked about this at a press conference Wednesday, she took the time to correct the record and explain what items would actually be distributed in the safety kits.
Conservatives have grasped the narrative that Biden is now providing crack pipes to drug addicts and run with it. Not only are right-wing media outlets claiming it, but we’re seeing propaganda from the Trump camp, with even his eldest son jumping in to compare free drug paraphernalia to Ivermectin.
Crack pipes > Hydroxychloroquine
Thanks Democrats!
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 9, 2022
In a press conference on Wednesday, you can see Psaki explaining the facts of the safety kits.
Jen Psaki describes Fox News's hysteria over crack pipes as "inaccurate reporting" and says they were never part of a kit that's being distributed to addicts pic.twitter.com/1n7hM9V2lH
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 9, 2022
“They were never a part of the kit. It was inaccurate reporting.”
So, what is actually in the kit?
“The safe smoking kits may contain alcohol swabs, lip balm, 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.
The grant application for non-profits that would like to provide these kits to people in need is online, readily available for anyone to read, and lists a number of items that are eligible for purchase with the grant money, including the aforementioned safe smoking kits, as well as safe sex kits, infectious disease screening, and vaccination services for hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
What's Your Reaction?
