Bill Overview
Title: Methamphetamine Response Act of 2021
Description: This bill designates methamphetamine as an emerging drug threat (a new and growing trend in the use of an illicit drug or class of drug). It also directs the Office of National Drug Control Policy to implement a methamphetamine response plan.
Sponsors: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Target Audience
Population: People impacted by methamphetamine use globally
Estimated Size: 6000000
- Individuals who use methamphetamine are directly affected as this may influence the availability, legality, and measures taken against methamphetamine use.
- Families and communities impacted by methamphetamine use might see changes in support services, legal implications, and community interventions.
- Law enforcement agencies might face new guidelines, responsibilities, or resources as they address methamphetamine-related activities.
- Healthcare providers could see changes in treatment protocols, funding for addiction services, or patient demographics.
- Public health organizations may be required to adapt their strategies and outreach programs related to drug use prevention.
Reasoning
- The policy budget limits the extent of the intervention, so not everyone in need will be affected immediately or equally.
- Individuals who are directly using methamphetamine might see improvements in services or legal changes that impact their access to care.
- Families might experience indirect benefits as support systems evolve to manage or mitigate the societal impacts of methamphetamine use.
- Law enforcement and healthcare providers might receive additional training and resources, affecting their professional duties and personal stress levels.
- Communities heavily impacted by methamphetamine use might see a noticeable change in public health initiatives, leading to potential long-term community health improvements.
Simulated Interviews
Construction Worker (West Virginia)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this new policy will help people like me get better access to rehab services.
- I'm worried it might lead to more arrests and complicate my life further.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Barista (California)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's crucial this policy includes support for families affected by meth addiction.
- I'm hopeful but unsure of how quickly it will change things for my sister.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Police Officer (Kentucky)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could provide us with better tools and training to handle meth cases responsibly.
- I worry about the rising workload without sufficient manpower.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Retired (Ohio)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope for more community programs that prevent young people from turning to drugs.
- Any initiative is positive, but funding allocation will be critical.
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 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Family Therapist (Arizona)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There's a severe need for comprehensive mental health resources included in this policy.
- I am cautiously optimistic about its potential impact on families.
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 |
Healthcare Provider (Texas)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Additional resources for treatment are desperately needed; this policy could help.
- Success depends on how funding is distributed and managed.
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 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
College Student (Minnesota)
Age: 19 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like this are important to curb drug use among youth.
- Education and prevention are key areas I want to see prioritized.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Unemployed (Oregon)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I need consistent support to stay sober, and I hope this policy can provide that.
- More options for rehab and support networks would be beneficial.
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 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Public Health Official (New York)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The program's outreach and educational components are crucial to changing the cultural perception of drug use.
- Measured execution of this policy can catalyze community change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Elementary School Teacher (Florida)
Age: 56 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see firsthand how drug abuse affects our students; this policy could offer hope.
- Long-term attention to education and prevention in schools is essential.
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 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $125000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $150000000)
Year 2: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $120000000)
Year 3: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $120000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- This initiative addresses a critical public health issue but requires careful balancing of resource allocation to ensure effectiveness.
- Coordination across multiple government agencies is necessary to maximize the program's impact.
- Potential trade-offs between immediate costs and long-term savings need thorough examination.