Bill Overview
Title: STOP FENTANYL PACKAGE
Description: This bill temporarily expands access to drugs that reverse opioid overdoses and makes other changes to drug control activities. The bill expands the authority of health care providers to distribute, and the authority of first responders and lay administrators to administer, opioid overdose reversal drugs. Health care providers may distribute the drugs to those at risk of an overdose or others in the community able to assist an individual at such risk. Additionally, the bill provides immunity from civil and criminal liability and other adverse actions for injuries that arise from distributing or administering those drugs unless the injury was caused by gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. The authority and liability protections terminate 90 days after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) terminates the on-going opioid public health emergency first declared on October 26, 2017, and the bill preempts state laws that provide lesser protections. Further, the Department of Justice (DOJ) must support training for law enforcement on drug-related matters and upgrading laboratories; HHS and DOJ may award grants for improving data collection and surveillance concerning overdoses. The bill also expands existing drug control activities. For example, recipients may use their community policing grants to procure equipment that protects first responders from secondary fentanyl exposure. Other matters addressed in the bill include interagency coordination of drug control activities; uniform reporting standards for information concerning drug control activities; budgeting for a program that analyzes fentanyl samples; and challenges with implementing State Opioid Response grants.
Sponsors: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Target Audience
Population: People at risk of opioid overdose or affected by opioid misuse globally
Estimated Size: 10000000
- The opioid crisis is a global issue affecting millions of people worldwide, particularly in countries with high rates of opioid prescriptions and drug misuse.
- Around 243 million people aged 15-64 years used an illicit drug in the past year (as of 2019) globally.
- It is estimated that over 30 million people suffer from drug use disorders globally.
- The STOP FENTANYL PACKAGE aims to address opioid overdoses, which are common in areas affected by the opioid epidemic.
- Although fentanyl is a major issue in North America, especially in the US and Canada, it is increasingly appearing in other countries, indicating a potential for global impact.
Reasoning
- Given the target population of approximately 10 million people in the US, the policy focuses on those directly affected by opioid misuse or at risk of overdose.
- The budget allows for expanding access to naloxone, improving law enforcement training, and enhancing data collection and surveillance, which are crucial elements to address the epidemic efficiently.
- Interviews should represent a diverse set of people impacted by opioids, including users, healthcare providers, first responders, and individuals in high-risk communities.
- There is a need to capture a variety of perspectives to understand both direct and indirect impacts of the policy. The cost constraints require careful selection of priorities for immediate and long-term benefits.
- People not directly impacted by the crisis should also be included to account for broader social perspectives and indirect effects, like community safety improvement.
Simulated Interviews
Construction Worker (Rural Ohio)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful this program can save lives, including mine. Access to naloxone can be a real game changer.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 1 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 0 |
ER Nurse (Baltimore, Maryland)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With better access to reversal drugs, I can do my job more effectively and save more lives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Police Officer (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Grants for training and protective gear are essential. We face risks in every opioid encounter.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Community Health Advocate (West Virginia)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm optimistic this bill will enhance our community training programs and help close service gaps.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Drug Policy Analyst (New York City)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If correctly implemented, this policy can significantly reduce harm; proper oversight is crucial.
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 | 6 |
College Student (Appalachia)
Age: 21 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The expansion of these policies gives me hope that others can avoid the pain I experienced.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Retired (Detroit, Michigan)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's time for the government to act decisively; safety in our community depends on it.
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 | 3 |
Paramedic (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Expanding resources to address overdoses is crucial; this bill is a step in the right direction.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Small Business Owner (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy should incorporate community empowerment alongside enforcement to be effective.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Software Developer (Boston, Massachusetts)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy brings effective change and reduces widespread harm caused by opioids.
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 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 2: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 3: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 5: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The temporary nature and reliance on the ongoing public health emergency status adds uncertainty to long-term cost projections.
- Coordination between federal and state policies is crucial to ensure effectiveness and avoid conflict, especially considering preemption of state laws.
- While expanding access to overdose reversal drugs is crucial, it may also call for considerations on addressing underlying addiction problems for a holistic impact.