Bill Overview
Title: CEASE Overdose Act of 2022
Description: This bill places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act.
Sponsors: Rep. Johnson, Mike [R-LA-4]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals involved with fentanyl-related substances
Estimated Size: 500000
- The legislation specifically targets fentanyl-related substances, suggesting its primary impact will be on those involved in the production, distribution, and consumption of these substances.
- Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that has been a significant driver in overdose deaths, particularly in North America.
- The bill's classification of fentanyl-related substances as schedule I substances indicates increased regulation and possibly harsher penalties, affecting individuals who may be incarcerated or receive harsher sentencing under this reclassification.
- In 2019, fentanyl was involved in nearly 73% of all opioid-related overdose deaths in the United States.
- The global nature of drug production and trafficking will mean international producers and distributors are likely to be affected.
Reasoning
- The primary demographic affected by this policy are individuals involved with and affected by fentanyl-related substances, including users, traffickers, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and communities.
- Given the budget constraint, this policy will aim to cover enforcement, administrative functions, and healthcare support, which suggest a ripple effect across various segments depending on federal and state collaboration.
- Some individuals may not see any direct impact from the policy either due to non-involvement with fentanyl-related substances or residing in areas lesser affected by opioid distribution and consumption issues.
Simulated Interviews
Logistics coordinator (Columbus, OH)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think putting more restrictions might reduce the supply, but people are always going to find a way to get drugs if they want them.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
ER Nurse (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any measure to control fentanyl is a step in the right direction, but this needs to be coupled with more support for addiction treatment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Drug policy researcher (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy can result in better regulation, but its effects on the ground will depend on how it's implemented and monitored.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Unemployed (Fresno, CA)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope that with fewer opioids on the streets, other people can find their way to recovery like I did.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Drug dealer (Baltimore, MD)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Crackdown is going to make business tougher. I'll have to be more careful, but there's always a market.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finally, a step in the right direction. However, this should not be the end, we need holistic approaches.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Law student (Austin, TX)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While necessary to control drugs, this law might increase incarceration rates instead of getting to the root of addiction issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Community health worker (Denver, CO)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Regulating supply is one part, there needs to be more funding towards recovery and rehabilitation programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Police officer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More investigative and arrest powers can help, but they need the support of community programs to sustain effects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Pharmaceutical researcher (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This might deter some pharmaceutical research that could lead to legal alternatives or solutions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Year 2: $255000000 (Low: $205000000, High: $305000000)
Year 3: $260000000 (Low: $210000000, High: $310000000)
Year 5: $270000000 (Low: $220000000, High: $320000000)
Year 10: $285000000 (Low: $235000000, High: $335000000)
Year 100: $350000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $400000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy's reclassification of fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I could shift court and prison resources, thereby impacting cost structures.
- Law enforcement and judicial systems may see increased caseloads, affecting operational budgets.
- There may be an unintended increase in usage of substitute drugs, potentially shifting some burdens to other sectors.