Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody of Florida is taking the Biden administration to court over allegations that taxpayer dollars are being used to purchase crack pipes for drug addicts.
Moody filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the Justice Department and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for failing to provide documentation related to possible federal grant funds used to promote drug use through Safe Smoking Kits.
The FOIA requests were made over a year ago, but the agencies have not provided any requested documentation, prompting Moody to take legal action.
She stated that the lawsuit aims to bring transparency to the use of taxpayer dollars and drug policy. Moody claims that if Biden is using taxpayer dollars to buy crack pipes for drug addicts, the public has the right to know.
President Biden announced a $30 million federal grant program in February 2022 that would reimburse local governments and entities that provide safe “smoking kits” in an attempt to advance racial equity and safer drug use for addicts.
The grant document references Biden’s executive order 13985 titled “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.” The White House and HHS have denied the use of crack pipes in these kits, but some harm-reduction organizations in East Coast cities have included them.
Moody’s lawsuit has gained national attention, with Republicans criticizing the Biden administration for what they see as misguided policies on drug addiction and harm reduction.
