Bill Overview
Title: Homeland Security Fentanyl Enforcement Act
Description: This bill specifically allows Special Agents of Homeland Security Investigations to enforce the Controlled Substances Act during their normal course of duties and to the same extent as the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Sponsors: Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]
Target Audience
Population: people impacted by fentanyl use and enforcement worldwide
Estimated Size: 2000000
- The bill aims to increase enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act, specifically targeting fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid.
- Special Agents of Homeland Security Investigations are empowered similarly to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents, which may result in increased law enforcement activities related to drug offenses.
- Individuals involved in the illegal distribution, manufacturing, or trafficking of fentanyl will be directly impacted by increased enforcement.
- Communities heavily affected by fentanyl (high incidence of usage, overdoses, or deaths) may see changes in drug availability, enforcement presence, or drug-related crime patterns.
- Individuals with substance use disorders who use fentanyl may experience further criminal justice interactions or face challenges in accessing the drug, potentially altering overdose rates.
Reasoning
- The population most impacted by this policy includes individuals directly involved in fentanyl trafficking and communities with high incidences of fentanyl use and overdose deaths.
- The policy enforcement efforts will likely lead to increased arrests and prosecutions, potentially decreasing the availability of fentanyl but also possibly causing disruptions in these communities.
- The budget constraint limits how many resources can be allocated towards the expansion of enforcement efforts, thus impacting the overall scale and effectiveness.
- We've simulated a diverse set of individuals to cover different demographics and socioeconomic statuses, potentially affected to varying degrees by the policy.
Simulated Interviews
Unemployed (Miami, Florida)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased enforcement will make it harder for me to get fentanyl, which could help me get clean.
- I'm worried about being arrested and getting a criminal record.
- I hope there will be more support for rehab and recovery.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 1 |
Nurse (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More enforcement will hopefully reduce the number of overdoses we see in the ER.
- It's important that enforcement goes hand in hand with treatment options.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Truck driver (Baltimore, Maryland)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’m worried I might get caught up in harsher enforcement even though I've changed.
- Hope enforcement means there’s more help for people coming out of jail.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Pharmacist (Charleston, West Virginia)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe increased enforcement should come with education and recovery support programs.
- It’s good if it reduces trafficking, but resources are needed for health services.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
College student (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’m interested to see how effective this will be from a law enforcement perspective.
- Hopefully, it means safer environments on and off-campus.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Small business owner (Detroit, Michigan)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope increased enforcement addresses the root cause and not just arrests.
- Would like to see the policy reduce addiction rates in communities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Software engineer (San Francisco, California)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Fentanyl is not part of my circle but I understand this is important for communities affected.
- I’m more concerned about drug policy reform in general.
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 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Retired teacher (Cleveland, Ohio)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this can make my neighborhood safer for my grandchildren.
- Concerned about how this will affect local families involved with drugs.
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 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Police officer (New York, New York)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm keen to see if this policy aids in our operations against fentanyl dealers.
- I believe in a balanced approach, more community engagement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Substance abuse counselor (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased enforcement without support systems for users won’t solve the problem.
- I advocate for focus on both decreasing availability and increasing recovery resources.
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 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $85000000 (Low: $75000000, High: $95000000)
Year 2: $86000000 (Low: $76000000, High: $96000000)
Year 3: $87000000 (Low: $77000000, High: $97000000)
Year 5: $90000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $100000000)
Year 10: $95000000 (Low: $85000000, High: $105000000)
Year 100: $110000000 (Low: $95000000, High: $125000000)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness of HSI agents in enforcing the Controlled Substances Act depends on their training and resources.
- Potential resistance or adjustment in illegal trade patterns as traffickers alter their methods in response to heightened enforcement.
- Collaboration between HSI and other law enforcement agencies can impact the success and costs of the enforcement efforts.