Comprehensive Opioid Response and Recovery Act of 2017

[Camilo deSonido]

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 

Mr. deSonido of California (for himself and others) introduced the following bill; 

 

A BILL

 

To combat the opioid epidemic through enhanced treatment options, prevention programs, law enforcement efforts, and economic support to affected communities, and for other purposes.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the "Comprehensive Opioid Response and Recovery Act of 2017."

 

SECTION 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:

1. The opioid epidemic has claimed over 33,000 lives in 2015 alone and continues to devastate communities across the United States regardless of socio-economic status or geographic location.
2. The epidemic stems in part from the over-prescription of opioid medications and the lack of substantial alternatives for pain management.
3. Economic decline and lack of opportunity in many communities have contributed to increased susceptibility to addiction.
4. Current resources and programs are insufficient to address the scale and complexity of the crisis effectively.

 

SECTION 3. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to:

1. Enhance and expand access to treatment and recovery services for individuals suffering from opioid addiction.
2. Prevent the onset of opioid addiction through improved educational programs and better prescribing practices.
3. Strengthen law enforcement and international cooperation to reduce the supply of illicit opioids.
4. Provide economic and infrastructural support to communities significantly impacted by the opioid crisis.

 

SECTION 4. ENHANCEMENT OF TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES.
(a) Funding Increase for Treatment Options — The Secretary of Health and Human Services is authorized to allocate $500 million annually to increase the availability of evidence-based treatment options, including medication-assisted treatment and behavioral therapy.
(b) Expansion of Treatment Facilities — The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is authorized to distribute $300 million for the construction and expansion of treatment facilities in areas identified as high need.
(c) Training and Recruitment of Healthcare Professionals — The Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is authorized to use $200 million to train and recruit healthcare professionals specializing in addiction treatment, particularly in underserved areas.

 

SECTION 5. PREVENTION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
(a) Public Education Campaign — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is authorized to initiate a comprehensive public education campaign with a funding allocation of $150 million over five years to raise awareness about the risks of opioid use and the availability of treatment.
(b) Prescribing Practices Guidelines — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in collaboration with the CDC, is allocated $50 million to develop and promote guidelines for opioid prescribing practices to reduce over-prescription while ensuring adequate pain management.
(c) Research on Alternative Pain Management — The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is allocated $100 million to increase research funding for the development and dissemination of non-opioid pain management techniques.

 

SECTION 6. LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION.
(a) Border Security Enhancement — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is authorized to use $400 million to strengthen efforts to prevent the smuggling of illicit drugs across United States borders, particularly focusing on fentanyl and heroin.
(b) International Anti-Drug Collaboration — The State Department, in coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), is allocated $250 million to enhance cooperation with international partners to disrupt global opioid supply chains and reduce the production of illicit opioids abroad.

 

SECTION 7. ECONOMIC AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT.
(a) Job Creation and Training Programs — The Department of Labor is authorized to implement job creation and training programs in communities heavily impacted by the opioid crisis, with a dedicated fund of $350 million.
(b) Support for Children and Families — The Department of Health and Human Services, through its Administration for Children and Families, is allocated $200 million to increase support for social services, including foster care systems overwhelmed by the crisis.

 

SECTION 8. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Reports to Congress — Require annual reports to Congress on the progress made in combating the opioid crisis, including metrics on treatment accessibility, overdose rates, and the effectiveness of education and prevention programs.
(b) Funding — Authorize the appropriation of $2.5 billion to carry out the provisions of this Act over the next five years.

 

SECTION 9. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall take effect immediately upon its passage.
 

[Avner]

CS

[Anthony]

CS

[jakeakins]

CS

[micgat23]

CS