Biden's Crack Pipe Kits

San Francisco CA

Description

President Joe Biden visited Culpeper, Virginia last Thursday where he gave a speech at Germanna Community College. It’s part of the president’s efforts to improve his approval ratings with a “reset” of his presidency, which includes visiting more parts of the country and giving speeches about the work his administration is doing. This time, the president spoke about his efforts to reduce the costs of health care – something he has totally failed to achieve so far. As the president was traveling into the area, protesters turned out to show he wasn’t welcome, with some holding signs that read “Build Crack Better.” It comes after reports that the Biden administration would be delivering kits for crack addicts to allow them to administer the drugs more safely. Media outlets reported that the kits could include crack pipes, but the Biden administration has since backed down on the plan after Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee threatened a partial government shut down over the plan. It prompted the Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to announce that “no federal funding will be used directly or through subsequent reimbursement of grantees to put pipes in safe smoking kits.” The kits, however, will still be delivered. The safer smoking use kits include an instructional sheet, alcohol swabs, and key pieces of drug use equipment. Each piece of equipment has been carefully selected for inclusion in the kits based on the health risks presented when people use makeshift alternatives. The following is a description of the four key components in the safer smoking use kits (smoking stems, screens, mouthpieces, and push sticks) and the public health consideration for providing each component. A key component of the kits are smoking stems made of heat resistant glass, called borosilicate (this is the generic name, this type of glass may be better known under the commercial brand name PyrexTM). The use of heat resistant stems reduces the risk of burns during use. Five screens/filters made of thin, porous brass metal sheets (similar to the small screens found inside water faucets) are also included. The screens replace the steel wool/BrilloTM, which are traditionally used. The screens permit the inhalation of drug vapor, while minimizing the inhalation of chemical residue, embers, or materials that may be dangerous to skin and tissue. Individual mouthpieces, made of non-latex foodgrade vinyl or PVC tubing that fits into the end of the stem which is inserted into the mouth, are provided to further minimize risk of oral burns. The push sticks, which are wooden dowels or chopsticks that are several inches long, are intended to be used to position screens in stems (Ross, 2015). Push sticks are made available to prevent the use of makeshift equipment. The use of makeshift equipment for placement is of concern as it may cause stems to chip or crack. In addition to SCUK distribution, supplementary harm-reduction services provided by the public health program include needle distribution services, condom and lubricant distribution, education (at both the individual and community level), outreach and facilitation of access to health s What's next? Heroin pipe kits with instructions for safer use?