Bill Overview
Title: To extend the temporary order for fentanyl-related substances.
Description: This bill extends until December 31, 2024, the temporary scheduling order issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration to place fentanyl-related substances in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. The temporary order expires on December 31, 2022.
Sponsors: Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]
Target Audience
Population: People using or affected by fentanyl-related substances
Estimated Size: 250000
- Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is more potent than many other opioids and is responsible for many overdose deaths worldwide.
- Fentanyl and its related substances being placed in Schedule I means they are seen as having no medical use and a high potential for abuse, leading to heavier regulation and enforcement.
- The original DEA temporary scheduling order aimed to curb the illegal distribution and use of these substances, which have proliferated in recent years.
Reasoning
- The policy aims to regulate fentanyl-related substances by placing them in Schedule I, indicating no medical use and high abuse potential. This can reduce availability and potentially lower overdose cases, positively impacting public health.
- Given the budget constraints, the policy's effects are likely to be more pronounced in areas with higher fentanyl abuse issues, but might be limited in scale. The target population includes individuals already affected by fentanyl abuse or those at risk due to community prevalence.
- There are individuals unaffected directly by the policy because they do not interact with illicit drugs. Their wellbeing scores under policy versus no-policy conditions will likely remain unchanged.
Simulated Interviews
Registered Nurse (West Virginia)
Age: 46 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see a lot of patients coming in with opioid-related issues; this policy might reduce the cases but can't solve the root problem alone.
- It's a step in the right direction, but we need more support services for addiction recovery.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Software Developer (New York)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support stricter controls on dangerous substances like fentanyl.
- As someone who's seen the darker sides of recreational use, I understand the need for regulation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Social Worker (California)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems punitive rather than preventive. It doesn't address the underlying socio-economic issues.
- Instead of just regulation, we need investments in harm reduction strategies and support systems.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 1 |
Retired (Kentucky)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about my grandchildren being exposed to these substances.
- Anything that can prevent these dangerous drugs from circulating is a good thing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
College Student (Ohio)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Education and awareness need to go hand in hand with this kind of regulation.
- Students often underestimate the severity of these drugs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Stay-at-home Parent (Texas)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My husband sees the effects of illegal substances daily; I hope this policy helps reduce his workload.
- Ultimately, more community support and education are needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Industrial Worker (Illinois)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like this can help reduce temptations and relapses for people like me.
- I hope it pushes more people toward seeking help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 1 |
Retail Manager (Florida)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen the devastation fentanyl causes firsthand in my family.
- While this policy is necessary, we also need more prevention and rehabilitation programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Police Officer (Arizona)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could make law enforcement's job more straightforward by clarifying the legal stance of fentanyl-related substances.
- We need support for affected communities to accompany this policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Graduate Student (Minnesota)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe more comprehensive approaches are necessary alongside regulation, like community health investments.
- It's positive but needs to be part of a broader strategy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 2: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Effectiveness in actual reduction of fentanyl distribution and abuse.
- Potential increase in incarceration and its societal effects.
- Balancing enforcement with necessary healthcare and rehabilitation efforts for those affected by substance abuse.