Bill Overview
Title: Bruce's Law
Description: This bill reauthorizes certain grants through FY2027 and sets out other activities to address the dangers of fentanyl-related drug overdoses, with a particular focus on fentanyl contamination. 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, including the risk of fentanyl contamination in counterfeit drugs. The bill also establishes an interagency work group to coordinate and improve federal efforts to reduce and prevent overdoses involving fentanyl contamination in illegal drugs. Work group members include the ONDCP, HHS, the Department of Justice, and the Department of State.
Sponsors: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Target Audience
Population: People affected by fentanyl-related drug overdoses
Estimated Size: 20000000
- Fentanyl-related overdoses are a significant cause of death globally, with a substantial number occurring in the United States.
- Community-based coalitions and organizations dealing with drug crises will be directly affected as they are eligible for the reauthorized and new grants to combat fentanyl-related issues.
- Populations in areas facing significant levels of fentanyl overdoses will benefit from prevention and education strategies enabled by these grants.
- General public awareness campaigns about fentanyl dangers will increase knowledge and potentially reduce overdoses worldwide.
- The interagency work group aims to improve coordination among federal entities, indirectly affecting law enforcement, healthcare providers, and local governments to better tackle the issue.
Reasoning
- The target population is broad, covering anyone affected directly or indirectly by fentanyl-related overdoses.
- The budget suggests a significant but not unlimited scope for intervention. It is crucial to focus efforts on communities hardest hit by the crisis.
- Including a range of individuals from different backgrounds ensures a comprehensive understanding of the policy's impact.
- Considering those not directly affected helps gauge indirect benefits and potential missed opportunities.
Simulated Interviews
Community Health Worker (Dayton, Ohio)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could finally give us more resources to expand our harm reduction programs.
- The public awareness campaign is crucial. Many people don't understand how dangerous fentanyl contamination is.
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 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 1 |
Non-Profit Manager (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We've been struggling with funding; these grants could help us increase our reach.
- Improving federal coordination is essential to address the nuances of this crisis effectively.
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 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Student (Baltimore, Maryland)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Education on drugs needs to be in schools, not just in public campaigns.
- I hope this leads to fewer families experiencing loss like ours.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 1 |
Retired (Austin, Texas)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's good to see more awareness campaigns; often, older generations are left out of the loop.
- I worry about drug safety, especially for my grandchildren.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Emergency Medical Technician (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 41 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Every tool we get helps save lives; we see so many overdoses weekly.
- Coordination between agencies could make our jobs slightly easier.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Healthcare Policy Analyst (New York City, New York)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This feels like a step in the right direction; policy cohesion is vital.
- Awareness campaigns are important, but they need to be strategically executed.
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 | 4 |
Pharmacist (Charleston, West Virginia)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Pharmacy practices need alignment with these initiatives.
- Proper awareness will help reduce illegal market demand.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 1 |
Tech Support Specialist (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We need more education about the real risks of these synthetic drugs.
- Support programs are crucial for families affected by addiction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Elementary School Teacher (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Parents and educators need to be part of the awareness process.
- It’s great this bill exists; drugs can be a terrifying topic for schools.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Police Officer (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better coordination could improve our on-the-ground impact.
- Reducing fentanyl on the streets should be our top priority.
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 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $62000000 (Low: $52000000, High: $72000000)
Year 3: $64000000 (Low: $54000000, High: $74000000)
Year 5: $68000000 (Low: $58000000, High: $78000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Majority of fiscal impact is upfront, given the policy is only through 2027.
- Long-term savings and effects are uncertain and difficult to measure within the bill's duration.
- The success of the policy depends significantly on the effectiveness of public awareness campaigns and interagency coordination.