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Friday, March 29, 2024

GAO: Agencies Need to Better Assess Efforts to Combat Illicit Opioids

A GAO report has found that the ONDCP, law enforcement agencies and the public health sector need to better assess efforts to combat illicit opioids.

As Congress is currently considering a bill to reauthorize ONDCP, GAO was asked to discuss federal agencies’ specific opioid-related strategies and the extent to which each agency is measuring its performance, and federal agencies’ efforts to enhance collaboration and information-sharing to limit the availability of illicit opioids, ongoing challenges to doing this, and ONDCP’s role in enhancing such collaboration.

It found that federal agencies have documented specific strategies to combat illicit opioids. However, only one of the five strategies GAO reviewed included outcome, or results-oriented measures — largely due to agency perceptions that designing such measures posed challenges. Without specific outcome-oriented performance measures, federal agencies will not be able to truly assess whether their respective investments and efforts are helping them achieve the goals set out in their strategies.

The study also found that while federal law enforcement agencies are increasingly coordinating with the public health sector to share overdose information, both sectors reported ongoing data-sharing obstacles and related challenges with the timeliness, accuracy, and accessibility of overdose data. Embarking on a concerted effort, led by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), to examine and address data-related concerns will enhance agencies’ efforts to understand and respond to the opioid epidemic.

GAO: Agencies Need to Better Assess Efforts to Combat Illicit Opioids Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Today
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.
Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Todayhttp://www.hstoday.us
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.

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