Drug Control: Certain DoD and DHS Joint Task Forces Should Enhance Their Performance Measures to Better Assess Counterdrug Activities
Abstract
The U.S. government has identified illicit drugs, as well as the criminal organizations that traffic them, as significant threats to the United States. In 2017, over 70,000 people died from drug overdoses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. DOD and DHS created joint task forces to help facilitate and strengthen interagency efforts in combating the flow of illicit drugs, particularly in the maritime domain. GAO was asked to review the structure of these task forces and their ability to coordinate and conduct missions effectively. Among other objectives, this report (1) assesses the extent to which the task forces coordinate effectively to minimize duplication, and (2) examines how the task forces measure the effectiveness of their missions and activities. GAO reviewed and assessed documentation on the task forces missions, coordination efforts, and performance assessments and compared them to best practices from prior work, departmental guidance, and federal internal control standards. GAO also met with task force officials to discuss and observe planning and coordination activities. GAO is making three recommendations, including that JIATF-West establish a vital few, consistent performance measures for its overall performance; and that DHS develop outcome-based performance measures for the JTFs activities. DOD and DHS concurred with the three recommendations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1153873
Entities
People
- Billy Commons
- Christopher Conrad
- David Dornisch
- Eric Hauswirth
- Julia Vieweg
- Kelsey Hawley
- Nathan Anderson
- Pamela Davidson
- Susan Hsu
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office