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| Friend, This week, distorted headlines took over social media in response to safer smoking supplies being included in new federal funding for critical harm reduction services. The viral hashtag and memes were rooted in racism, stigma, and misinformation – focusing on “crack pipes” as clickbait to intentionally stoke fear and prejudice.
The truth is that safer smoking supplies such as pipes are a standard part of harm reduction programs all over the country and a proven public health strategy to save lives. Despite the evidence, the Biden administration quickly caved to clickbait.
The Department of Health and Human Services and Office of National Drug Control Policy just announced that federal funding may not be used for putting pipes in safer smoking supplies – a move that will unnecessarily limit local communities from taking needed steps to protect the health of people who use drugs. Backtracking on providing critical evidence-based resources that could greatly improve the health of people who consume drugs through smoking is a huge missed opportunity.
It will disproportionately be felt in Black and Indigenous communities, especially as these communities have experienced some of the sharpest increases in overdose deaths involving fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
Safer smoking supplies, primarily distributed by harm reduction programs, is an evidence-based practice that helps people who inject drugs to switch to smoking, which is a less risky mode of consumption. One of the benefits of drug use via inhalation rather than injection includes ingestion of lower doses of the drug, which can reduce risk of overdose. Another benefit is the reduction of injection-related harms and risks such as infection and blood-borne disease transmission.
Historically, there has been little research and funding to support people who use stimulants. These services are urgently needed more than ever as people dying of methamphetamine or cocaine-involved overdose deaths are more likely to be from communities of color. If we do nothing, these rates will continue to soar. This is a racial equity issue as much as a health justice issue.
The Biden administration has rightfully endorsed expanding access to syringe service programs and harm reduction services such as naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and clean syringes. Safer smoking equipment is simply another tool in the harm reduction toolbox that can reduce harm and save lives.
While we are encouraged by the steps the Biden administration has already taken to advance harm reduction and advocate for the funding, they must stand firm against misinformation and continue the course to deploy all evidence-based solutions, including all forms of safer smoking supplies, to save lives now.
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