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Crime Victims Fund: Federal Support for Victims of Crime [August 22, 2012]
"In 1984, the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) was established by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA, P.L. 98-473) to provide funding for state victim compensation and assistance programs. Since 1984, VOCA has been amended several times to support additional victim-related activities. These amendments established within the CVF (1) discretionary grants for private organizations, (2) the Federal Victim Notification System, (3) funding for victim assistance staff within the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys, (4) funding for the Children's Justice Act Program, and (5) assistance and compensation for victims of terrorism. […] In considering the CVF allocation and future caps, there are several issues on which policymakers may deliberate. Congress may consider whether to adjust the manner in which the CVF is allocated, amend VOCA to accommodate additional victim activities or groups, adjust the cap and allow use of the CVF for grant programs other than those explicitly authorized by VOCA, or make other adjustments to the CVF cap--such as eliminate the cap altogether."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2012-08-22
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Drug Enforcement in the United States: History, Policy, and Trends [October 2, 2014]
"The federal government prohibits the manufacturing, distribution, and possession of many intoxicating substances that are solely intended for recreational use (notable exceptions are alcohol and tobacco); however, the federal government also allows for and controls the medical use of many intoxicants. Federal authority to control these substances primarily resides with the Attorney General of the United States. Over the last decade, the United States has shifted its stated drug control policy toward a comprehensive approach; one that focuses on prevention, treatment, and enforcement. In order to restrict and reduce availability of illicit drugs in the United States, a practice referred to as 'supply reduction,' the federal government continues to place emphasis on domestic drug enforcement. According to the most recent drug control budget (FY2015) released by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), approximately 60% of all federal drug control spending is dedicated to supply reduction, with approximately 37% of the total budget dedicated to domestic law enforcement. Federal agencies, primarily the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), enforce federal controlled substances laws in all states and territories, but the majority of drug crimes known to U.S. law enforcement are dealt with at the state level. In the United States in 2012, the DEA arrested 30,476 suspects for federal drug offenses while state and local law enforcement arrested 1,328,457 suspects for drug offenses. In many cases, federal agencies assist state and local agencies with drug arrests, and suspects are referred for state prosecution, and vice-versa."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2014-10-02
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Homelessness: Targeted Federal Programs and Recent Legislation [February 3, 2014]
"The causes of homelessness and determining how best to assist those who find themselves homeless became particularly prominent, visible issues in the 1980s. The concept of homelessness may seem like a straightforward one, with individuals and families who have no place to live falling within the definition. However, the extent of homelessness in this country and how best to address it depend upon how one defines the condition of being homeless. There is no single federal definition of homelessness, although a number of programs, including those overseen by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of Labor (DOL) use the definition enacted as part of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (P.L. [Public Law] 100-77). The McKinney-Vento Act definition of a homeless individual was broadened as part of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-22). Previously, a homeless individual was defined as a person who lacks a fixed nighttime residence and whose primary nighttime residence is a supervised public or private shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations, a facility accommodating persons intended to be institutionalized, or a place not intended to be used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. The law expanded the definition to include those defined as homeless under other federal programs, in certain circumstances, as well as those who will imminently lose housing."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; McCarthy, Francis X.; McCallion, Gail . . .
2014-02-03
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Homelessness: Targeted Federal Programs and Recent Legislation [May 6, 2015]
"There is no single federal definition of homelessness, although a number of programs, including those overseen by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of Labor (DOL) use the definition enacted as part of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (P.L. 100-77). The McKinney-Vento Act definition of a homeless individual was broadened as part of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-22). Previously, a homeless individual was defined as a person who lacks a fixed nighttime residence and whose primary nighttime residence is a supervised public or private shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations, a facility accommodating persons intended to be institutionalized, or a place not intended to be used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. The law expanded the definition to include those defined as homeless under other federal programs, in certain circumstances, as well as those who will imminently lose housing. A number of federal programs in seven different agencies, many originally authorized by the McKinney-Vento Act, serve homeless persons. These include the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program administered by the Department of Education (ED) and the Emergency Food and Shelter program, a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program run by the Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) administers multiple programs that serve homeless individuals, including Health Care for the Homeless, Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness, and the Runaway and Homeless Youth program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; McCarthy, Francis X.; McCallion, Gail . . .
2015-05-06
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Crime Victims Fund: Federal Support for Victims of Crime [June 30, 2015]
"In 1984, the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) was established by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA, P.L. 98-473) to provide funding for state victim compensation and assistance programs. Since 1984, VOCA has been amended several times to support additional victim-related activities. These amendments established within the CVF (1) discretionary grants for private organizations, (2) the Federal Victim Notification System, (3) funding for victim assistance staff within the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys, (4) funding for the Children's Justice Act Program, and (5) assistance and compensation for victims of terrorism. In 1988, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) was formally established within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to administer the CVF. As authorized by VOCA, the OVC awards CVF money through grants to states, local units of government, individuals, and other entities. The OVC also distributes CVF money to specially designated programs, such as the Children's Justice Act Program and the Federal Victim Notification System. Deposits to the CVF come from criminal fines, forfeited appearance bonds, penalties and special assessments collected by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices, federal courts, and Federal Bureau of Prisons. Since 2002, Congress has allowed gifts, bequests, and donations from private entities to be deposited into the CVF."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2015-06-30
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South Carolina Church Shooting and Hate Crime in the United States [June 18, 2015]
"On June 17, 2015, a lone gunman shot and killed nine individuals in a predominantly black church in Charleston, South Carolina. The suspect in police custody, Dylann Roof, is white, while the nine deceased victims are black. The U.S. Department of Justice announced it is initiating a hate crime investigation. […] As part of its Hate Crime Statistics Program, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) collects data on 'criminal offenses that were motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender's bias against a race, gender, gender identity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, and were committed against persons, property, or society.' In 2013, law enforcement agencies reported to the FBI that 3,407 'single-bias hate crime offenses were racially motivated.' Of these incidents, 66.4% were motivated by anti-black or anti-African American bias."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; Finklea, Kristin M.
2015-06-18
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Crime Victims Fund: Federal Support for Victims of Crime [October 27, 2015]
From the Introduction: "In 1984, the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) was established by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA, P.L. 98-473) to provide funding for state victim compensation and assistance programs. Since 1984, VOCA has been amended several times to support additional victim-related activities. These amendments established within the CVF [1] discretionary grants for private organizations; [2] the Federal Victim Notification System; [3] funding for victim assistance staff in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA); [4] funding for the Children's Justice Act Program; and [5] assistance and compensation for victims of terrorism. In 1988, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) was formally established within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to administer the CVF. As authorized by VOCA, the OVC awards CVF money through formula and discretionary grants to states, local units of government, individuals, and other entities. The OVC also distributes CVF money to specially designated programs, such as the Children's Justice Act Program and the Federal Victim Notification System. […] This report provides background and funding information for VOCA programs and the CVF. It describes the process through which CVF funds are allocated and explains how the CVF impacts the annual budget for DOJ [U.S. Department of Justice]. It then provides an analysis of selected issues that Congress may consider regarding the CVF and the federal budget."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2015-10-27
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Backlog of Sexual Assault Evidence: In Brief [October 19, 2015]
"Sexual assault kits (SAKs, also referred to as 'rape kits') are used by medical professionals to collect evidence during a forensic medical exam of a sexual assault victim in order to establish elements of a crime. Generally, upon completion of the medical exam the kit is transferred to an authorized law enforcement agency that logs the kit into evidence. Procedure and protocol regarding when and where kits are sent, however, vary across jurisdictions. Some law enforcement agencies automatically send the kits to forensic laboratories for testing while others wait for varying amounts of time; in some cases depending on when/if a police officer or prosecutor requests forensic analysis of the kits. Evidence from these kits may help identify, convict, or exonerate an offender. Evidence may also be stored in DNA [deoxi-ribose nucleic acid] databases for use in other cases. […] The backlog of SAKs has raised concerns over justice for assault victims and that evidence in untested kits could be used to prevent suspects from victimizing others. SAKs may remain untested for reasons such as limited resources of laboratories and law enforcement and police discretion. Police may opt not to pursue a forensic investigation for a variety of reasons including perception of victim cooperation or a decision that the results of the kit would not be pertinent to the overall investigation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; James, Nathan
2015-10-19
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Active Opioid Legislation in the House: In Brief [May 13, 2016]
"The House voted on more than a dozen bills related to heroin and prescription opioid abuse during the week of May 9, leading some to dub this week 'Opioid Week' in the House. This report briefly summarizes opioid-related bills that were considered during 'Opioid Week.' The brief summaries in this report may be useful illustrations of the range of approaches Members of Congress have proposed to address the problem of opioid addiction. This report includes information about Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cost estimates, where available. In some cases, the CBO cost estimate is based on the bill 'as ordered to be reported'. The full text of each bill as introduced is available on Congress.gov. When a bill is reported (as amended), the new version is also available on Congress.gov. There is, however, a period between a committee's ordering a bill to be reported and reporting the bill. Thus CBO estimates may be based on a version of a bill that is not available on Congress.gov. Similarly, bills may have been amended following publication of the CBO cost estimates."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bagalman, Erin; Sacco, Lisa N.; Rosen, Liana W.
2016-05-13
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Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (S. 524): Comparison of Senate- and House-Passed Versions [May 23, 2016]
From the Congressional Research Service report, "The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (CARA; S. 524) aims to address the problem of opioid addiction in the United States. It passed the Senate (S. 524 ES) on March 10, 2016, and it passed the House with an amendment in the nature of a substitute (S. 524 EAH) on May 13, 2016. The two versions of the bill differ substantially. The scope of the differences may be illustrated by their structures: The Senate bill has 28 sections organized in 8 titles, whereas the House bill has 69 sections organized in 18 titles. This report discusses selected differences and similarities between the Senate-and House-passed versions of S. 524. Both bills include provisions that would authorize new activities, provisions that would reauthorize and amend existing activities, and provisions that would codify activities already taking place. Few provisions, however, are directly comparable across the two bills. The bills include two parallel provisions, which share the same headings and would require or authorize similar activities: (1) Pain Management Best Practices Interagency Task Force and (2) Grants for Treatment of Pregnant and Postpartum Women. More often, the two bills include provisions addressing the same theme in different ways. Common themes include comprehensive opioid abuse grants, accountability of grantees, veterans, criminal justice provisions, and access to naloxone to reverse opioid overdose. Each bill also includes provisions for which the other bill has no comparable provisions; see Appendix A for a summary of the Senate bill and Appendix B for a summary of the House bill."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bagalman, Erin; Sacco, Lisa N.
2016-05-23
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Active Opioid Legislation in the House: In Brief [May 12, 2016]
"The House is scheduled to vote on a dozen or more bills related to heroin and prescription opioid abuse during the week of May 9, leading some to dub this week 'Opioid Week' in the House. This report briefly summarizes opioid-related bills that are scheduled for consideration during 'Opioid Week.' The brief summaries in this report may be useful illustrations of the range of approaches Members of Congress have proposed to address the problem of opioid addiction."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bagalman, Erin; Sacco, Lisa N.; Rosen, Liana W.
2016-05-12
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Federal Assistance for Victims of Terrorism or Mass Violence: In Brief [August 3, 2016]
"Following incidents of terrorism or mass violence in the United States, jurisdictions and individuals may be eligible to receive various types of victim assistance both directly from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and indirectly from DOJ through their respective state victim assistance agencies or other programs. While circumstances in some terrorism or mass violence incidents may make a jurisdiction or organization eligible for assistance from other federal departments, this report focuses solely on assistance available from DOJ's Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). As authorized by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), the OVC supports several federal programs that may assist victims of terrorism or mass violence. The OVC awards funds through formula and discretionary grants to states, local units of government, individuals, and other entities with the primary purpose of assisting victims. These programs are funded by the Crime Victims Fund (CVF)-an account within the U.S. Treasury that is not funded through traditional appropriations but largely through the collection of federal criminal fines. The Director of the OVC is authorized to set aside $50 million of CVF money in the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve, which funds OVC administered programs that support victims of terrorism or mass violence. This report examines CVF-funded assistance for victims of terrorism or mass violence. It includes discussion of programs that broadly cover crime victim assistance and programs that are specifically designed to address terrorism or mass violence. It also includes a discussion of how these programs have assisted victims of various incidents of terrorism or mass violence over the last several years."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2016-08-03
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DEA Scheduling Actions on Kratom [October 13, 2016]
"On August 30, 2016, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced its intent to temporarily place into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) the 'active materials' in the kratom plant. The DEA's notice of intent initiated an expedited temporary scheduling action and provided the 30-day notice required by 21 U.S.C. §811(h) of the CSA. However, on October 12, in response to public concern over the scheduling action and the public request for the DEA to consider public comments, the DEA withdrew its notice of intent to temporarily place kratom into Schedule I. The DEA is soliciting public comments until December 1, 2016. Additionally, the DEA has requested that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expedite its scientific and medical evaluation and scheduling recommendation for kratom. [...] Kratom is a plant indigenous to parts of Southeast Asia; its leaves contain opioid compounds that produce psychoactive effects when ingested. Some people consume kratom leaves for purported medicinal purposes including self-treatment for pain or opioid withdrawal. [...] Arguably, the safety and health benefits of kratom have not been scientifically confirmed. [...] Placement on Schedule I would change the availability of kratom. It would no longer be legally available for consumption, and its lawful use would be restricted to highly regulated research. The DEA is proceeding with scheduling consideration, but not emergency scheduling. It may schedule kratom on Schedules I-V or decide not to schedule the substance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2016-10-13
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Federal Involvement in Sex Offender Registration and Notification: Overview and Issues for Congress, In Brief [March 25, 2015]
"All states have sex offender registration and notification laws; however, these laws vary widely. Congress has attempted to standardize these laws through legislation, most recently through the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), a major component of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act (Adam Walsh Act; P.L. 109-248) enacted in 2006. Among other things, SORNA created a three-tier classification system for sex offenders based solely on the crime of conviction. To date, seventeen states, three territories, and many American Indian tribes have been found to have 'substantially implemented SORNA.' SORNA stated that jurisdictions that fail to comply with its requirements risk having their annual Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds reduced by 10%. While several noncompliant states have chosen to lose 10% of their JAG funds, the majority of noncompliant states have applied to have these funds reallocated and used solely for the purpose of implementing SORNA. Sex offenses and sex offender management are primarily state and local criminal justice issues; however, the federal government plays a role in sex offender registration and notification as well as other sex offender management issues not discussed in this report. The federal government (1) sets minimum requirements and baseline standards for states for sex offender registration and notification, (2) provides assistance to states via grants and law enforcement support in tracking down noncompliant offenders, (3) maintains a public national website that provides information on registered sex offenders, (4) maintains a national sex offender registry for assisting law enforcement, and (5) receives and transmits information on the international travel of sex offenders."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2015-03-25
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Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): Historical Overview, Funding, and Reauthorization [November 19, 2018]
"The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was originally enacted in 1994 (P.L. 103-322). It addressed congressional concerns about violent crime, and violence against women in particular, in several ways. Among other things, it allowed for enhanced sentencing of repeat federal sex offenders; mandated restitution to victims of specified federal sex offenses; and authorized grants to state, local, and tribal law enforcement entities to investigate and prosecute violent crimes against women. This report provides a brief history of VAWA and an overview of the crimes addressed through the act. It includes brief descriptions of earlier VAWA reauthorizations and a more-detailed description of the most recentre authorization in 2013. The report concludes with a discussion of VAWA programs and a five-year history of funding from FY2014 through FY2018."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2018-11-19
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SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (P.L. 115-271): Food and Drug Administration and Controlled Substance Provisions [November 15, 2018]
"The SUPPORT [Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment] Act is a sweeping measure designed to address widespread overprescribing and abuse of opioids in the United States. The act includes provisions involving law enforcement, public health, and healthcare financing and coverage. Broadly, the legislation imposes tighter oversight of opioid production and distribution; imposes additional reporting and safeguards to address fraud; and limits coverage of prescription opioids, while expanding coverage of and access to opioid addiction treatment services. The bill also authorizes a number of programs that seek to expand consumer education on opioid use and train additional providers to treat individuals with opioid use disorders."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dabrowska, Agata; Green, Victoria R.; Sacco, Lisa N. . . .
2018-11-15
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Public Health and Other Related Provisions in P.L 115-271, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act [December 3, 2018]
"On October 24, 2018, President Donald J. Trump signed into law H.R. 6, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (P.L. 115-271; SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, or the SUPPORT Act). The final agreement on the bill was approved by the House 393-8 on September 28, 2018, and cleared by the Senate by a vote of 98-1 on October 3, 2018. Over the past several years, there has been growing concern among the public and lawmakers in the United States about rising drug overdose deaths. Opioid overdose deaths, in particular, have increased significantly in the past 15 years. In 2015, an estimated 33,091 Americans died of opioid-related overdoses. Provisional data for 2017 estimate 49,068 deaths involving opioids, representing a fourfold increase over 2002 during the beginning of the epidemic. In October of 2017, President Trump declared the opioid epidemic a national public health emergency."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Heisler, Elayne J., 1976-; Duff, Johnathan H.; Bradley, David H. . . .
2018-12-03
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Defining Domestic Violence [March 27, 2019]
From the Document: "In 2018, the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) changed the expansive domestic violence (DV) definition that appeared on its website to the more narrow statutory definition used for grant programs. There is some confusion as to the meaning and implication of OVW's change. In the 116th Congress, legislation has been introduced that would amend the definition used in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant programs--the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 (H.R. 1585), if enacted, would amend and expand the definition of DV."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2019-03-27
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Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): Historical Overview, Funding, and Reauthorization [Updated April 23, 2019]
From the Introduction: "The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was originally enacted in 1994 (P.L. 103-322). It addressed congressional concerns about violent crime, and violence against women in particular, in several ways. Among other things, it allowed for enhanced sentencing of repeat federal sex offenders; mandated restitution to victims of specified federal sex offenses; and authorized grants to state, local, and tribal law enforcement entities to investigate and prosecute violent crimes against women. This report provides a brief history of VAWA and an overview of the crimes addressed through the act. It includes brief descriptions of earlier VAWA reauthorizations and a more-detailed description of the most recent reauthorization in 2013. It also briefly addresses reauthorization activity in the 116th Congress. The report concludes with a discussion of VAWA programs and a five-year history of funding from FY2015 through FY2019."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2019-04-23
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Are Antifa Members Domestic Terrorists? Background on Antifa and Federal Classification of Their Actions [Updated June 9, 2020]
From the Document: "On May 31, 2020, President Donald Trump announced via Twitter that the United States will be designating 'antifa'-- this term is applied to an organization of loosely affiliated individuals who describe themselves and their ideological outlooks as 'antifa' (shorthand for 'antifascist')--as a domestic terrorist group. Some media and law enforcement reports suggest that antifa members may be responsible for some of the violence and looting that has taken place amid the protests that have occurred recently in various U.S. cities. Further, some reports indicate that antifa members have been involved in peaceful protests as well. This In Focus discusses the background ofthe U.S. antifa movement, whether or not members and their actions may be categorized as domestic terrorists and domestic terrorism,respectively, and issues around designating domestic groups as terrorists."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2020-06-09
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Marijuana and Restrictions on Immigration [September 17, 2020]
From the Document: "Marijuana is listed as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), and has been on Schedule I since the CSA was enacted in 1970 (P.L. 91-513). The Schedule I status of marijuana means that it is strictly regulated by federal authorities, regardless of state regulations and laws, and its growth, distribution, and possession (regardless of recreational or medicinal purposes) are prohibited under federal law aside from activities related to lawful research. Over the last several decades, states and territories have established a range of laws and policies regarding marijuana's medical and recreational use. Most states and territories have deviated from across-the-board prohibition of marijuana, and now have laws and policies allowing for some cultivation, sale, distribution, and possession of marijuana, while some states continue to prohibit any marijuana activity aside from lawful research. These developments have spurred a number of questions regarding potential implications for federal law enforcement activities as well as consequences for individuals who may be acting in accordance with state law but are in violation of federal drug laws and policies. There are many consequences of marijuana-related activity in the United States. This Insight focuses on the immigration consequences for noncitizens (referred to as 'aliens' in immigration law)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kolker, Abigail F.; Sacco, Lisa N.
2020-09-17
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Role of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) [June 1, 2018]
"The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is responsible for creating, implementing, and evaluating U.S. drug control policies to reduce the use, manufacturing, and trafficking of illicit drugs as well as drug-related health consequences, crime, and violence. ONDCP is located in the Executive Office of the President. It was created by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 and most recently reauthorized by the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2006. Authorization of appropriations for ONDCP expired at the end of FY2010, but it continues to receive funding. The ONDCP director must develop a National Drug Control Strategy (Strategy) to direct the nation's anti-drug efforts-- and a companion National Drug Control Budget (Budget)--and evaluate the implementation of the Strategy by agencies contributing to the Federal Drug Control Program and the outcomes (reducing illicit drug use and its consequences). In addition, ONDCP manages the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program and other programs, including Drug Free Communities (DFC)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; Finklea, Kristin
2018-06-01
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Increase in Illicit Fentanyl Overdose Deaths [June 6, 2018]
"Fentanyl, heroin, and some prescription painkillers (such as morphine and oxycodone) belong to the class of drugs known as opioids, which act on receptors in the brain important in regulating pain and emotion. Opioids have susceptibility for abuse and potential for overdose. In 2016, more than 42,000 of the nearly 64,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States involved opioids. Led by fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50-100 times more potent than morphine, synthetic opioids emerged as the leading cause of opioid-related overdose deaths in 2016. The steep increase in deaths involving fentanyl is seen as a 'new chapter' in the opioid epidemic."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Duff, Johnathan H.; Sacco, Lisa N.
2018-06-06
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Opioid Epidemic and Federal Efforts to Address It: Frequently Asked Questions [October 18, 2017]
"Over the last several years, there has been growing concern among the public and lawmakers in the United States about rising drug overdose deaths, which more than tripled from 1999 to 2014. In 2015, more than 52,000 people died from drug overdoses, and approximately 63% of those deaths involved an opioid. Many federal agencies are involved in efforts to combat opioid abuse. The primary federal agency involved in drug enforcement, including diversion control efforts for prescription opioids, is the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The primary agency supporting drug treatment and prevention is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The federal government also has several programs that may be used, or are specifically designed, to address opioid abuse. These range from law enforcement assistance in combatting drug trafficking to assistance for states in developing a coordinated response to address opioid abuse. These programs span across several departments, including (but not limited to) the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Federal and state lawmakers have addressed opioid abuse as a public health concern in enacting legislation that focuses heavily on prevention and treatment. [...] This report answers common 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 public health or criminal justice issue."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; Bagalman, Erin
2017-10-18
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Homelessness: Targeted Federal Programs [October 18, 2018]
"Federal assistance targeted to homeless individuals and families was largely nonexistent prior to the mid-1980s. Although the Runaway and Homeless Youth program was enacted in 1974 as part of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (P.L. 93-415), the first federal program focused on assisting all homeless people, no matter their age, was the Emergency Food and Shelter (EFS) program, established in 1983 through an emergency jobs appropriation bill (P.L. 98-8). The EFS program was and continues to be administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide emergency food and shelter to needy individuals."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Perl, Libby; Boyd, Eugene; Duff, Johnathan H. . . .
2018-10-18
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Schedule I Status of Marijuana [November 25, 2019]
From the Document: "The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) places various substances in one of five schedules based on their medical use, potential for abuse, and safety or risk for dependence. The five schedules are progressively ordered, with substances regarded as the least dangerous and addictive classified as Schedule V and those considered the most dangerous and addictive classified as Schedule I. By law, Schedule I substances have a 'high potential for abuse' with 'no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States' and cannot safely be dispensed under a prescription. The CSA prohibits the manufacture, distribution, dispensation, and possession of Schedule I substances except for bona fide, federal government-approved research studies. [...] Congress could do a number of things to address the schedule status of marijuana. It may choose to (1) maintain marijuana's status on Schedule I, (2) amend the CSA to move marijuana to a lower schedule, (3) create an entirely new schedule or other category for marijuana, or (4) remove it entirely from the CSA. If Congress chooses to remove marijuana as a controlled substance under the CSA, it could seek to regulate and tax commercial marijuana activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2019-11-25
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Opioid Epidemic: Supply Control and Criminal Justice Policy-Frequently Asked Questions [June 28, 2019]
From the Document: "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. Many 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."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; Finklea, Kristin; Lawrence, Susan V. . . .
2019-06-24
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FDA Regulation of Cannabidiol (CBD) Consumer Products: Overview and Considerations for Congress [January 21, 2020]
From the Document: "Cannabidiol (CBD), a compound in the 'Cannabis sativa' plant, has been promoted as a treatment for a range of conditions, including epileptic seizures, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, inflammation, and sleeplessness. However, limited scientific evidence is available to substantiate or disprove the efficacy of CBD in treating these conditions. In the United States, CBD is marketed in food and beverages, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and tobacco products such as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)--products that are primarily regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. §§301 et seq.). CBD is also the active ingredient in Epidiolex, an FDA-approved pharmaceutical drug."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dabrowska, Agata; Green, Victoria R.; Johnson, Renée . . .
2020-01-21
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Military Families and Intimate Partner Violence: Background and Issues for Congress [December 4, 2019]
From the Summary: "Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a national public health issue. IPV is also a crime characterized by recidivism and escalation, meaning offenders are likely to be repeat abusers, and the intensity of the abuse or violence is likely to grow over time. Like the broader phenomenon of domestic violence and abuse, a subset of which includes IPV, associated physical and mental trauma for those who are victims of abuse, as well as for those minor children who witness the abuse, can have both immediate and long-term health effects and significant costs to society. When military servicemembers are involved as either victims or perpetrators of IPV, the consequences of IPV can also harm unit readiness. Congress has constitutional authority to fund, regulate, and oversee the Armed Forces, including the military justice system. Congress has used this authority in recent years to mandate domestic violence prevention and victim response policies, programs, and services."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kamarck, Kristy N.; Ott, Alan; Sacco, Lisa N.
2019-12-04
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COVID-19: The Drug Enforcement Administration's Regulatory Role [April 9, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused strain on many health care and medical facilities around the country, and some doctors and pharmacists have altered conventional practice to accommodate the needs of patients during this public health emergency. Changed practices include maintaining increased supplies of Schedule II controlled substances needed for intubation at hospitals and increasing the use of telemedicine as an alternative to in-person patient visits with a provider. Such changes require the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to make exceptions to Controlled Substances Act (CSA) regulatory requirements. DEA has made these and other accommodations during the COVID-19 public health emergency. This Insight focuses on DEA's regulatory role and how related polices have changed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also plays a significant role in regulating the nation's drug supply, but is only briefly mentioned here."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.
2020-04-09
