Program giving free meth and crack pipes to homeless in Denver may expand

Programs that supply free pipes for smoking meth and crack cocaine and needles for injecting drugs will be able to expand their programs if the City Council votes Monday to give them more money.

The council will vote whether to allow their unspent funds from this year’s allotment to be used next year to expand the program. Advocates for Recovery would receive $124,962 left over from this year for a total contract of more than $1 million, according to a memo from city staff to the council. Colorado Health Network would receive $340,705 for a total contract of more than $3 million.

Advocates for Recovery Colorado, according to its website , offers peer coaching and other services to people who use drugs. Colorado Health Network through its Access Point progra m passes out meth pipes, crack pipes, needles, tooter kits (used for snorting drugs), lighters, alcohol pads and more. Their mobile services visit sites such as Fusion Studios homeless hotel at 3737 Quebec.

During a recent visit to Fusion, a long line formed behind the van of the non-profit that was passing out paraphernalia. Known as harm reduction, the practice of passing out free paraphernalia was born out of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Back then, people were contracting HIV because they were sharing needles. Today, pipes and tooter kits are passed out because they are considered safer alternatives to injecting.

Harm reduction advocates claim that they build solid relationships with people who use drugs through the weekly giveaways. They said many clients do decide they want to get sober and come to them for help when they are ready.

Originally published at https://www.newsbreak.com on June 7, 2026.