Bill Overview
Title: SOS Act of 2022
Description: This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to designate illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction and requires the Office of National Drug Control Policy to conduct an assessment regarding that substance. Specifically, the office must assess foreign manufacturing of illicit fentanyl, the tools and capabilities across federal agencies to address trafficking of that substance, the capabilities of the Mexican military to conduct counterdrug missions with respect to that substance, the capacities and willingness of China to take specified actions with respect to that substance, and illicit fentanyl being trafficked into the United States from Mexico.
Sponsors: Rep. Wenstrup, Brad R. [R-OH-2]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals impacted by illicit fentanyl
Estimated Size: 2000000
- Illicit fentanyl is a significant contributor to the opioid crisis, which affects millions of people globally, either directly or indirectly.
- People who use drugs illegally, whether knowingly or unknowingly consuming fentanyl, are directly impacted by this bill.
- The friends and families of these individuals, who suffer from the loss or health deterioration of their loved ones, are indirectly affected.
- Healthcare systems and professionals dealing with addiction treatment are impacted due to the change in policies regarding illicit fentanyl.
- Economic sectors suffering due to loss of productivity and social welfare expenses related to opioid addiction are indirectly affected.
Reasoning
- This policy primarily targets individuals directly or indirectly affected by illicit fentanyl, which is a significant component of the opioid crisis in the U.S. about 2 million are targeted over the next decade.
- Given the high-impact nature of fentanyl, those who use opioids illicitly have a high level of personal risk and potential gain from any reduction in fentanyl presence.
- The budget limitations suggest the policy will allocate significant resources towards drug enforcement and international cooperation, impacting users indirectly by reducing supply.
- Healthcare workers, first responders, and their communities see indirect impacts as efforts to reduce fentanyl trafficking could alter their workload and stress levels.
- This wide-ranging impact necessitates capturing a variety of perspectives from users, family members, healthcare professionals, and community members.
Simulated Interviews
Unemployed (Rural Ohio)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've lost many friends to fentanyl overdoses. It's terrifying to think about it flooding our streets.
- If this policy can actually reduce the supply, it might make it easier for people to recover without fear of relapsing and using something deadly.
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 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Emergency room doctor (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Every week we see multiple fentanyl overdoses. It's taxing to constantly face such preventable tragedies.
- This policy could curb some of that burden if it effectively addresses the supply issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Border patrol agent (Texas)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our team is stretched thin with the current situation. Anything to help address fentanyl trafficking is welcome.
- I'm hopeful but skeptical about the effectiveness and coordination this policy might achieve.
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 | 4 |
Teacher (West Virginia)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My brother died last year from fentanyl. It devastated our family.
- I hope making this act serious sends a message and prevents others from experiencing the pain we've gone through.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Retired (New York City)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen the toll of fentanyl on younger generations. It's a relief to see policy attempting serious intervention.
- The problem feels overwhelming at times, so any step helps.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
College student (Boston)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited to see this issue being tackled at the federal level and hope it considers effective harm reduction strategies.
- A comprehensive approach could really impact public health positively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Pharmaceutical researcher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful that classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction can open new avenues for research funding and policy change.
- Effective policy could support the science to develop better treatment options.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Tech executive (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see this policy impacting me directly, but supporting community health is always good.
- Hopefully, a reduction in fentanyl helps the broader economy by stabilizing health expenses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
NGO worker (Miami, FL)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's vital to address the multi-faceted nature of fentanyl's threat. Policy like this can enhance collaboration globally.
- I'm eager to partner across sectors for real change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Truck driver (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Transit delays from enforcement can be a hassle, but necessary for safety.
- I hope this creates safer environments without bureaucratic headaches.
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 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $40000000)
Year 2: $28000000 (Low: $19000000, High: $37000000)
Year 3: $27500000 (Low: $18500000, High: $36500000)
Year 5: $26000000 (Low: $18000000, High: $35000000)
Year 10: $25000000 (Low: $17000000, High: $34000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The coordination across federal agencies and global cooperation concerning fentanyl trafficking are complex and could lead to significant implementation challenges.
- Designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction may have unforeseen domestic and international policy implications.