Bill Overview
Title: Rural Opioid Abuse Prevention Act
Description: This act expands the allowable uses of grant funds under the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program administered by the Department of Justice. Specifically, the act allows grants to be used for pilot programs for rural areas to implement community response programs that focus on reducing opioid overdose deaths, which may include presenting alternatives to incarceration.
Sponsors: Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals impacted by opioid abuse in rural areas globally
Estimated Size: 4000000
- The act targets rural areas which often have limited access to healthcare resources, including addiction treatment facilities.
- Opioid abuse affects individuals who are substance users or are at risk of becoming substance users.
- Families and communities in rural areas are affected by opioid abuse due to economic impacts and loss of community members.
- The act focuses explicitly on opioid use, a significant issue in the United States, especially in rural communities.
Reasoning
- Rural areas often lack access to necessary addiction treatment resources, making them a crucial focus for the opioid prevention act.
- The policy focuses on community response programs which could provide alternatives to incarceration, potentially benefiting addicts by offering support and rehabilitation rather than punishment.
- Given the significant budget, the policy has the potential for rapid impact, especially in smaller communities where resources have previously been scarce.
- Interviews will reflect a variety of perspectives, from individuals impacted directly by opioid use, families affected by addiction, healthcare workers, and law enforcement in rural areas.
- While the act targets a broad population, the immediate impact might be more pronounced in areas with the highest documented rates of opioid abuse.
Simulated Interviews
coal miner (Appalachia, West Virginia)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful this program will offer better support for people like me.
- Rehabilitation and support over incarceration is what actually helps.
- Programs like this bring jobs and healthcare resources to our community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
nurse (Central Kansas)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could ease the burden on health clinics by providing more targeted programs.
- It feels promising that there will be less focus on criminalizing addiction.
- If implemented well, it could save lives and families.
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 |
retired farmer (Rural Vermont)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 2
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's about time we see these kinds of interventions in rural areas.
- My concern is if the funds will truly reach communities that need it the most.
- This policy gives me hope for these young people and prevents tragedy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 1 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 1 |
unemployed (Missouri Ozarks)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 2
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm scared of being arrested rather than helped in overcoming my addiction.
- These community support programs sound like a lifesaver if done right.
- I hope this means more empathy and options for people like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 1 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 1 |
school teacher (Southern Ohio)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We see children affected by this crisis daily, they need supportive interventions.
- Helping parents and older siblings could break a cycle of poverty and addiction.
- I hope this policy is implemented effectively and not bogged down by red tape.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
law enforcement officer (Northeastern Washington)
Age: 36 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We've been arresting but not solving the problem.
- Alternative methods can help reduce the cycle of crime related to addiction.
- I hope this policy stresses treatment and prevention over incarceration.
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 |
paramedic (Rural Alabama)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More community resources would ease the pressure on emergency services.
- This would likely decrease the number of overdose calls we respond to.
- It feels hopeful this policy will stabilize our rural health system.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
social worker (Western Kentucky)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could enhance support and resources for families.
- We need innovative approaches that community response programs can provide.
- It's crucial for funding to reach the right people quickly and efficiently.
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 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
construction worker (Northern Idaho)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about the future and what's available to help someone before it's too late.
- Community response programs sound like they can offer avenues for better choices.
- The policy needs to make services accessible to be effective.
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 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
mayor of a small town (Central Arkansas)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With the right funding, we can transform how we manage and support these issues locally.
- The challenge is ensuring sustained investment beyond initial grants.
- Rural areas deserve the same access to support as urban centers.
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 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 2: $9000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $11000000)
Year 3: $8000000 (Low: $6000000, High: $10000000)
Year 5: $7000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $9000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 100: $2000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $3000000)
Key Considerations
- Rural communities often lack access to medical and rehabilitative resources, making this act a necessary intervention.
- Alignment of pilot programs with community needs is crucial for success and efficiency.
- Sustainable funding mechanisms should be considered to maintain program impacts beyond the initial phases.