Bill Overview
Title: Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act
Description: This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 and modifies the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant, which supports state, tribal, and territorial efforts to prevent and treat substance use disorders. Among other changes, the bill requires grant recipients to expend a portion of the grant on recovery support services. Additionally, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration must conduct a study to develop a model needs assessment process for grant recipients to use when determining the allocation of grant funding among prevention, treatment, and recovery support activities. The bill also revises multiple provisions to eliminate stigmatizing terms (e.g., substance abuse) and otherwise align with current legislative drafting conventions.
Sponsors: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals with substance use disorders or in recovery
Estimated Size: 20000000
- The bill targets state, tribal, and territorial efforts related to substance use disorders, which implies all populations served by these entities may be impacted.
- Substance use disorders are prevalent globally, with millions affected by various forms of addiction.
- The inclusion of recovery support services implies a focus on individuals in recovery from substance use disorders.
- Changes in legislative language suggest an effort to reduce stigma, impacting perceptions and potentially policy reception globally.
Reasoning
- The Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act targets individuals with substance use disorders or those in recovery, focusing primarily on prevention, treatment, and recovery support services.
- Considering a budget of $200,000,000 in Year 1 and $1,490,000,000 over 10 years, the policy aims to reallocate and utilize funds more effectively to enhance recovery processes and reduce stigma.
- The target population includes approximately 20 million individuals in the U.S. who are affected by substance use disorders, with a focus on improving their self-reported wellbeing.
- The policy might have varying levels of impact depending on the individual's current status in recovery, access to services, and the stigma they experience.
Simulated Interviews
Unemployed (Rural Wisconsin)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's great that they are spending more on recovery support.
- More help will definitely benefit people like me trying to stay clean.
- I hope more resources here mean better local support groups.
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 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 2 |
Social Worker (New York City)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reducing stigma is crucial for helping people feel they can seek help.
- More recovery support services can help sustain long-term recovery.
- This program might foster better understanding and integration in society.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Software Developer (San Francisco)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's good that they're addressing this but I don't feel much impact personally.
- Mental health support is crucial, hope they continue down this path.
- Programs should also address the root causes of addiction.
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 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Construction Worker (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Happy to see more funds going towards recovery paths.
- It's important that this reaches individuals needing it the most.
- Hope for more local rehab centers and less stigma.
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 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Student (Oklahoma City)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the shift in language to reduce stigma.
- It's comforting to see a focus on recovery resources.
- The focus should also be on mental health as a whole.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 4 |
Retail Manager (Dallas, Texas)
Age: 53 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Funding may help families find support easier.
- Recovery often needs more societal acceptance.
- Legal language changes might improve public perception.
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 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Bartender (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems more geared for those heavily impacted by addictions.
- I'm not sure how it directly affects occasional users like myself.
- Hopeful it aids in supporting friends who are in recovery.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired (Miami, Florida)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Supports aiming resources towards both recovery and preventive measures.
- Effectiveness depends on local implementation.
- Policy change in terms affecting stigma might help some.
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 | 8 | 4 |
Logistics Coordinator (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recovery support has been crucial and this policy might enhance it.
- Acknowledging stigma in legislative terms is a step forward.
- Need more integrated mental health and substance use recovery programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 4 |
Artist (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recovery needs this kind of financial and structural support.
- Legislations like this promote a healthier narrative around recovery.
- Art therapy should be integrated into these services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $200000000 (Low: $180000000, High: $220000000)
Year 2: $205000000 (Low: $185000000, High: $225000000)
Year 3: $210000000 (Low: $190000000, High: $230000000)
Year 5: $220000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $240000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The bill's requirement to allocate funds to recovery support services may lead to better long-term outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders.
- Changes in language to reduce stigma could enhance societal acceptance and support for recovery programs.
- Costs associated with conducting a study for needs assessment could be upfront and may decrease once systems are established.