Bill Overview
Title: Bruce's Law
Description: This bill reauthorizes certain grants through FY2027 and sets out other activities to address drug overdoses, with a particular focus on contamination with fentanyl or other synthetic opioids. Specifically, the bill (1) reauthorizes grants that are available through the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) for community-based coalitions to address local drug crises, and (2) authorizes new grants for coalitions to implement education and prevention strategies in communities that face significant levels of drug overdoses related to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. The ONDCP may delegate authority to execute the new grants to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must carry out a campaign to increase public awareness of the dangers of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, including the risks of such substances contaminating counterfeit drugs. The bill also establishes an interagency work group to coordinate and improve federal efforts to reduce and prevent overdoses caused by illegal drugs contaminated with fentanyl or other synthetic opioids. Work group members include the ONDCP, HHS, the Department of Justice, and the Department of State.
Sponsors: Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals using drugs or living in communities with high overdose rates
Estimated Size: 20000000
- The bill focuses on addressing drug overdoses, particularly those involving fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, indicating that individuals using drugs are the primary group impacted.
- Contamination with fentanyl often affects those using counterfeit drugs, which can include both recreational users and those seeking pharmaceuticals.
- The bill includes measures for community-based coalitions, suggesting communities with high levels of drug overdoses are targeted.
- The public awareness campaign implies efforts to educate the general population on the dangers of synthetic opioids, thus broadening the target group.
- The global fentanyl crisis impacts numerous countries, but primarily North America, indicating a large international population affected.
Reasoning
- Bruce's Law targets communities with significant drug issues, particularly related to fentanyl and synthetic opioids. Given the budget constraints and target population, the impact is expected to vary.
- Individuals directly involved in drug use or recovery will likely experience higher impacts due to direct interventions, such as increased availability of community resources and education.
- Others indirectly affected, including family members and community residents, may see smaller indirect benefits via community stabilization and reduced drug availability.
- Some individuals in communities with no significant drug problems may remain unaffected by the policy, hence included in the simulation to capture the entire spectrum of population impact.
- Public awareness campaigns have a broader reach but may dilute direct resource allocation to those most impacted by fentanyl and synthetic opioids.
Simulated Interviews
Recovery Program Coordinator (Columbus, OH)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think Bruce's Law is essential. Communities like ours need more support to tackle the opioid crisis, especially with the rise of synthetic drugs.
- Increased funding will help us expand our outreach and education programs, which are currently underfunded.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Local Business Owner (Charleston, WV)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope Bruce's Law helps reduce the drug problem here. It affects not just those directly involved but everyone in the community.
- Safer streets mean better business, so I'm all for this.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
College Student (San Diego, CA)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increasing awareness about synthetic opioids is crucial. Many young people underestimate the risks.
- Bruce's Law seems like a step in the right direction for better education.
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 | 7 | 7 |
Farmer (Rural Kentucky)
Age: 44 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not directly affected by these issues, and I'm not sure how this policy impacts us in rural areas.
- I suppose general drug education could be beneficial to the younger generation.
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 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Healthcare Worker (New York, NY)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If Bruce's Law can reduce the number of overdose cases, that would relieve much stress and enable us to manage our emergency services better.
- We need more awareness campaigns as part of this initiative.
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 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Social Worker (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Grants from Bruce's Law will directly aid my efforts in helping those struggling with addiction.
- More prevention strategies are always welcome.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Such policies are crucial for communities riddled with drug issues.
- Getting schools involved in awareness is a practical approach. Bruce's Law should support that.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
App Developer (Miami, FL)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Public awareness might make a difference for people like me who occasionally use drugs and worry about contamination.
- Bruce's Law could provide the necessary cautionary information.
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 | 6 |
Mother (Seattle, WA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about teenagers' drug exposure; Bruce's Law focusing on fentanyl awareness is greatly needed.
- Prevention starts at home but community resources strengthen our efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Chef (Dallas, TX)
Age: 46 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These drug problems haven't affected my business much, but I support actions that keep our community safe.
- Awareness is good, but I don't see this impacting me much.
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 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $45000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $55000000)
Year 2: $46000000 (Low: $36000000, High: $56000000)
Year 3: $47000000 (Low: $37000000, High: $57000000)
Year 5: $48000000 (Low: $38000000, High: $58000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness of public awareness campaigns on changing public behavior is historically variable and difficult to quantify.
- The scale and focus of grants might require adjustment based on emerging needs and overdose rates.
- Coordination among multiple agencies could introduce administrative costs.