Bill Overview
Title: Civil Justice for Victims of International Fentanyl Trafficking Act
Description: This bill allows a U.S. state to bring a civil action against a foreign state in federal court for money damages for death or physical injury to a person caused by fentanyl use or exposure occurring in the United States. The injury must follow any reckless action of an alien unlawfully present in the United States or certain foreign opioid traffickers that caused or substantially contributed to the unlawful trafficking of fentanyl from the foreign state into and within the United States.
Sponsors: Rep. Walorski, Jackie [R-IN-2]
Target Audience
Population: People affected by fentanyl use, exposure, or trafficking
Estimated Size: 30000000
- The global fentanyl crisis affects countries worldwide, with millions of people exposed to its risks and impacts. However, the specific focus of this bill is on the trafficking routes and the countries involved in the manufacture and illegal distribution of fentanyl, such as China and Mexico.
- Fentanyl is a global issue, primarily affecting nations with higher opioid misuse rates. The United States is a significant target due to its large opioid crisis.
- Other nations may be indirectly affected by any shifts in trafficking patterns due to legal changes in the United States.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy would primarily be individuals and communities directly affected by fentanyl use and trafficking in the U.S., particularly in states with high opioid misuse rates.
- The impact of the policy would vary depending on whether individuals are directly or indirectly involved in or affected by fentanyl-related activities.
- This simulation considers diverse demographics, including those not directly impacted by the policy, ensuring a range of perspectives are represented within the target population.
- Budget constraints suggest that the program size is limited, implying that only high-impact areas or prominent cases may see direct benefit in the early years of implementation.
- Wellbeing measures are subjective, and changes due to the policy may reflect broader social, economic, and emotional outcomes resulting from the reduction of fentanyl presence and related criminal activities.
Simulated Interviews
Nurse (West Virginia)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could help lessen the impact of fentanyl that we see daily in hospitals.
- I hope it holds foreign traffickers accountable, but I'm not sure if it will directly affect my day-to-day work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Recovering Addict (Ohio)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any action that reduces fentanyl inflow is a positive step.
- I wish the policy had a direct support component for people like me who are trying to recover.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Teacher (New York)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reducing fentanyl trafficking could improve safety in school communities.
- The policy may help nationally, but its effectiveness will depend on enforcement and broader drug education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Police Officer (California)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might aid in tracking sources of fentanyl.
- More comprehensive solutions are needed, targeting both supply and demand.
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 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 6 |
Community Organizer (Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy brings hope but may not address root causes like addiction and mental health support.
- I hope it complements local initiatives to reduce opioid harm.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired (Kentucky)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If this policy can lessen drug flow, it might restore some community safety.
- It needs to be part of a larger strategy to combat opioid addiction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Software Engineer (Oregon)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this as a legal shift with potential impact on drug markets, not directly on users.
- Policy should focus more on harm reduction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Pharmacist (Arizona)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Stopping fentanyl at the source is crucial to prevent new addictions.
- I hope this reduces my workload related to opioid-related emergencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Warehouse Worker (Illinois)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy could help make local neighborhoods safer.
- More visible efforts are needed at the community level.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
College Student (Florida)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Legal action against trafficking routes sounds effective, but education and support are essential.
- I hope policy changes reduce fentanyl availability among peers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $55000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $75000000)
Year 3: $60000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $80000000)
Year 5: $70000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $90000000)
Year 10: $80000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $100000000)
Year 100: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Key Considerations
- The success of this act heavily relies on the legal ability to sustain actions against foreign states in U.S. courts.
- There might be diplomatic and international relations implications if the U.S. takes legal action against specific foreign states.
- The deterrence effect of this legislation is speculative and depends on the execution and success of the lawsuits.