Critical Releases in Homeland Security: November 8, 2017

From the Introduction: "At the beginning of the 115th Congress, Chairman Michael McCaul directed the Majority staff to conduct a review of federal coordination with, and support to, the National Network of Fusion Centers. [...] Committee staff conducted a review of the progress made across all levels of government to enhance the flow of counterterrorism information to and from fusion centers. The Committee visited ten fusion centers, and had additional meetings with five others, to hear directly from analysts and operators. [...] Though a comprehensive review of the Committee's analysis and findings is detailed below, Committee staff have noted that since the release of the Committee's 2013 report, significant progress has been made in the overall maturity of the National Network of Fusion Centers. Many fusion centers have expanded capabilities to address all crimes and threats, recognizing that early indicators of terrorism often include criminal activity. The Committee witnessed greater intra-network collaboration, including the exchange of best practices, collaboration on strategic products, and provision of support to other centers during major incidents. Additionally, fusion centers are embracing a multidisciplinary approach to outreach programs to better integrate fire, emergency medical services, and the private sector. [...] The Committee also noted several areas that warrant further attention and enhancement. [...] The Committee also identified several new challenges that, if not addressed, could impact the ability of fusion centers to assess threats and share information."

From the Conclusion: "The goals of the recommendations included in this report are to promote prevention of all drug use with effective education campaigns and restrictions in supply of illicit and misused drugs. To achieve supply reduction, we recommend shaping prescribing practices by improved medical education, by alternatives to pain management, as appropriate, by enhancing physician awareness of high risk patients though substance use, mental, and medical screenings and interrogation of PDMPs [Prescription Drug Monitoring Program], insurance company oversight, and by interdiction of deadly opioids. Treatment and overdose rescue are both distinct and inextricably linked efforts. Overdose rescue procedures need to be opportunistic and include access to trained personnel, to medications, and to treatment services. [...] Treatment services need to be improved, foremost by developing thoughtful national evidence-based standards of care, record-keeping, and long-term support. In view of the need, expansion of services is imperative and so are surmounting barriers - to medications, limited healthcare workforce, to insurance reimbursement - and ensuring high-quality care and long-term recovery support services. The Commission strongly supports research and development of alternatives to opioids for pain management, treatment and rescue, and of modern medical devices essential to improving our responses. The Commission also strongly recommends real-time data analytics to inform our mission and accomplishments. Above all, each recommendation should have accountability built-in and be subjected to measurable goals, quantitative solutions, and measurable outcomes. The Federal Government now must develop a level of accountability that has not been imposed rigorously in the past."