In the upcoming weeks, the City of Bologna will start the distribution of free aluminum crack pipes as part of a harm reduction initiative that was initiated a year and a half ago. The pipes will be delivered by ASP street workers and available for pickup at the Fuori Binario spaces on Via Carracci. The measure, which costs approximately €3,500 for 300 pipes, was created to address the increase in crack users in the city. According to Local Health Authority data, as of June 30, 518 users have been reported, with 134 new cases, up from 353 in 2023 and 456 in 2024. "Crack remains a health hazard", says Councilor Matilde Madrid, "but the goal of the harm reduction policy is to intercept those who use it. Experiments have demonstrated that using proper equipment lowers the incidence of secondary illnesses such bleeding, tracheitis, and infections caused by improvised and shared materials. As a result, we have decided to increase distribution". In addition, the Municipality offers drug-testing services, allowing consumers to evaluate substances before ingestion.