Bill Overview
Title: School Resource Officers Save Lives Act
Description: This bill reauthorizes through FY2023 grants available to states and Indian tribes to address the opioid crisis. It also establishes a demonstration grant program for school districts to train school resource officers, security personnel, and school nurses to administer Narcan kits (Narcan is an opioid antagonist that temporarily reverses and blocks the effects, including overdoses, of other opioids).
Sponsors: Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals affected by the opioid crisis worldwide
Estimated Size: 10000000
- The bill aims to address the opioid crisis, which is a global issue, but primarily affects countries with high opioid use rates like the United States.
- Narcan is used to reverse opioid overdoses, a problem that is notably prevalent in North America.
- Globally, there are millions of opioid users who could potentially benefit from expanded access to Narcan.
- School districts are a specific target, and these are found globally, but the bill reauthorizes grants within the United States context, focusing on US states and Indian tribes.
Reasoning
- The policy's target population is U.S. residents affected by the opioid crisis, estimated at about 10 million individuals.
- The policy implements Narcan training in schools, suggesting direct impact on students, school staff, and indirectly their families, particularly in areas heavily affected by opioid misuse.
- Given the $25,000,000 budget for the first year, the reach is limited, necessitating a focus on areas with higher incidences of opioid overdoses to maximize impact.
- The policy's effectiveness can vary based on local addiction rates and existing support systems, along with individual socioeconomic factors affecting access to interventions.
Simulated Interviews
Highschool student (West Virginia)
Age: 17 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing that the school has Narcan and staff who can use it makes me feel safer.
- My community has been hit hard by the opioid crisis, and having this safety measure in place at school is reassuring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
School resource officer (Ohio)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy enhances the preparedness of our school staff to deal with life-threatening situations.
- Having more officers trained can prevent potential tragedies and reduce anxiety among students and staff.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
School nurse (New Mexico)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This program is a necessary step to ensure we are ready for emergencies that we unfortunately see more of recently.
- Knowing how to use Narcan gives me an additional tool to save lives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Parent of a high school student (Florida)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is a positive step, offering peace of mind that schools are equipped to handle overdoses.
- I hope this policy extends beyond just having Narcan available to addressing the root of the crisis itself.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired pharmacist (Oregon)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could significantly contribute to reducing fatalities, but should be part of a broader effort.
- As someone familiar with Narcan, I see its potential impact firsthand.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
College student (California)
Age: 21 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This makes me feel more secure at school, but we need educational programs to prevent addiction altogether.
- I appreciate the initiative but wish it included training for students as well.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
High school principal (New York)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The safety of my students and staff is paramount, and this policy is a big win.
- While Narcan is critical, we must not overlook preventative education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Teacher at a rural middle school (Texas)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having Narcan in school is an important measure, though resources are limited in rural areas.
- I wish the program also provided resources for mental health counseling.
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 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Emergency medical technician (Kentucky)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy integrates crucial life-saving training into schools, where it can deter tragedy early on.
- This is a good move, though constant training updates are necessary.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Addiction counselor (Illinois)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy increases chances of survival during overdoses, but we need systemic change in addiction treatment.
- Narcan is a tool—effective, yet not a solution to addiction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $25000000 (Low: $18000000, High: $30000000)
Year 2: $27000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $33000000)
Year 3: $29000000 (Low: $22000000, High: $35000000)
Year 5: $32000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $40000000)
Year 10: $35000000 (Low: $28000000, High: $45000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Training efficacy of personnel in administering Narcan.
- Distribution and maintenance of Narcan kits across various school districts.
- Coordination with existing state and tribal grant programs and resources.