{
  "id": "R45790",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "R45790",
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  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
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      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 601691,
      "date": "2019-06-28",
      "retrieved": "2019-12-20T17:39:01.314405",
      "title": "The Opioid Epidemic: Supply Control and Criminal Justice Policy\u2014Frequently Asked Questions",
      "summary": "Over the last several years, lawmakers in the United States have responded to rising drug overdose deaths, which increased four-fold from 1999 to 2017, with a variety of legislation, hearings, and oversight activities. In 2017, more than 70,000 people died from drug overdoses, and approximately 68% of those deaths involved an opioid. \nMany federal agencies are involved in domestic and foreign efforts to combat opioid abuse and the continuing increase in opioid related overdose deaths. A subset of those agencies confront the supply side (some may also confront the demand side) of the opioid epidemic. The primary federal agency involved in drug enforcement, including prescription opioids diversion control, is the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Other federal agencies that address the illicit opioid supply include, but are not limited to, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Offices of the U.S. Attorneys, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Office of National Drug Control Policy. This report focuses on efforts from these departments and agencies only. \nLawmakers have addressed opioid abuse as both a public health and a criminal justice issue, and Congress enacted several new laws in the 114th and 115th Congresses. These include the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (CARA; P.L. 114-198), the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act; P.L. 114-255), and most recently the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act; P.L. 115-271). Congress also provided funds specifically to address the opioid epidemic in FY2017-FY2019 appropriations.\nThis report answers common supply and criminal justice-related questions that have arisen as drug overdose deaths in the United States continue to increase. It does not provide a comprehensive overview of opioid abuse as a criminal justice issue. The report is divided into the following sections:\nOverview of the Opioid Epidemic in the United States;\nOverview of the Opioid Supply; \nOpioids and Domestic Supply Control Policy;\nOpioids and Foreign Supply Control Policy;\nRecent Congressional Action on the Opioid Epidemic; and\nThe Opioid Epidemic and State Criminal Justice Policies.",
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      "typeId": "REPORTS",
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  "topics": [
    "Appropriations",
    "Asian Affairs",
    "Crime Policy",
    "Economic Policy",
    "Foreign Affairs",
    "Health Policy",
    "Intelligence and National Security",
    "Latin American Affairs"
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