Critical Releases in Homeland Security: May 2, 2012

"Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation] established counterterrorism as its top investigative priority. Since 2001, the FBI has hired thousands of additional staff, increasing its total onboard workforce by 38 percent. In particular, the FBI has increased both the size and the role of its headquarters [HQ] CTD [Counterterrorism Division] that is located in Washington, D.C. In 2005, the FBI reported that nearly 40 percent of staff positions in certain parts of CTD were vacant, raising concerns about the FBI's ability to fulfill its most important mission. As requested, GAO [Government Accountability Office] reviewed FBI CTD vacancies. Specifically, this report discusses (1) the extent to which counterterrorism vacancies existed at FBI HQ since 2005 and the reasons for the vacancies and (2) the impact of the strategies implemented by the FBI to address these vacancies. GAO obtained data on CTD vacancies from fiscal years 2005 through 2011 as well as strategies the FBI used to address vacancies and their associated costs. GAO also interviewed FBI human resources and counterterrorism officials regarding vacancies and the FBI's steps to address them. This report is an unclassified version of a classified report GAO issued in February 2012. GAO recommends the FBI establish criteria, time frames, and other factors for its evaluation of the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of HSI [Headquarters Staffing Initiative] to determine whether it is the most effective strategy for reducing vacancies. The FBI concurred with this recommendation."

"Federal regulations require that Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes have written emergency plans and provide employees with emergency preparedness training. In a 2006 report about nursing homes that experienced hurricanes, we found that emergency plans lacked many provisions recommended by experts. In response, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance checklists for emergency planning of health care facilities, long-term care (LTC) ombudsman programs, and State survey agencies (SA). We conducted this study to assess emergency preparedness and response of nursing homes that experienced more recent disasters."

"Drug use, including the abuse of prescription medications and underage drinking, significantly affects the health and well-being of the Nation's youth and young adults. Substance use affects academic performance and military preparedness and is linked to crime, motor vehicle crashes and fatalities, lost productivity, and increased health care costs. Stopping use before it begins can increase an individual's chances of living a longer, healthier, and more productive life. Put simply, drug prevention saves lives and cuts long-term costs. Recent research has shown that each dollar invested in an evidence-based prevention program can reduce costs related to substance use disorders by an average of $18."