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resourcing is a priority. Drug trafficking organizations exploit information gaps and seams among agencies and jurisdictions. For example, along the Southwest border, many agencies—including those at the federal level—are currently unable to share data captured by automated license plate readers that could provide information on drug traffickers moving into the United States, impeding our collective ability to conduct the intelligence-driven interdictions of illicit drugs. Additionally, perceived and actual obstacles to information sharing between the intelligence and law enforcement communities result in gaps exploitable by TCOs and inhibit the ability to develop and synthesize strategic intelligence on the global drug threat. Consistent with the Constitution and statutes enshrining civil rights and civil liberties, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of Justice (DOJ) should prioritize coordinated efforts to eliminate real and perceived barriers to intelligence and information sharing between federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies. ODNI, DHS, and DOJ should ensure that federal law enforcement agencies have adequate resources to review law « « « « « « 78 NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL STRATEGY enforcement reporting for foreign intelligence value and disseminate that intelligence to relevant agencies in a manner that protects law enforcement sensitivities. ODNI and individual intelligence agencies should proactively review foreign intelligence on drug and threat finance issues that may be relevant to or actionable by federal law enforcement agencies and ensure that information is appropriately downgraded in classification to permit passage to law enforcement partners. Information fusion centers are crucial to bridging information gaps, but they are effective only if agencies commit to addressing the corresponding institutional and jurisdictional barriers that too often plague these efforts. Agencies challenged by information gaps should thoroughly examine systems and mechanisms across the interagency environment for solutions prior to embarking on individual agency initiatives, which tend to result in duplication and, ultimately, additional gaps and seams. Duplication of initiatives and activities across the interagency community inhibits the U.S. Government’s ability to reduce overdose deaths. The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) will prioritize funding recommendations for agencies demonstrating strategic effects through systematized sharing of information at enterprise levels. Consideration should be given to leveraging the United States Council on Transnational Organized Crime (USCTOC), established on December 15, 2021 by Executive Order 14060 to improve the U.S. Government’s ability to carry out strategic drug intelligence functions. Sustainable funding for strategic drug intelligence efforts is crucial. B. Improve information sharing, vertically and horizontally, between public safety and public health entities to improve health outcomes and build health equity. (Agencies Involved: DFC; DHS/ICE; DOJ/DEA, OCDETF, OJP; HHS/FDA, HHS; ONDCP) While there are several individual examples of initiatives that bring together public safety and public health, often in states or locally, government at all levels can do more. Public safety and public health agencies collect vast quantities of data, which they should share and integrate across both disciplines to inform whole-of-government responses to the problem.6 This can and should be done if feasible while still protecting the privacy of individuals with all affected persons and maintaining trust and confidence in the health care system. The most effective public safety and public health collaboration and mechanisms are those that enable pursuit of the criminals trafficking illicit substances in our communities while enhancing the support structure for people who use drugs or have SUD. Federal public safety and public health agencies within DOJ, DHS, and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and state governments should pursue common and interoperable information systems to enable more efficient synthesis and analysis of data at a national level. For example, standardized reporting criteria for drug-related deaths and contraband seizures, combined with mechanisms to integrate Tribal, local and state agencies, would provide a comprehensive, national picture of the effects of illicit drugs on our communities. This would enable tailored, meaningful responses, such as those 6 An example of one such successful collaboration is DEA’s NFLIS-TOX program. More information about the program can be found at, https://www.nflis.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/tox.xhtml « « « « « « NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL STRATEGY 79 achieved through the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area’s (HIDTA) Overdose Response Strategy.314 C. Strengthen HIDTAs and other multi-jurisdictional task forces to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations. (Agencies Involved: DHS/CBP, ICE; DOJ/ATF, DEA, FBI, OCDETF; IC; DOD; Treasury/FINCEN, IRS, OFAC, TFFC; USCG; USPIS) Drug trafficking organizations rely on networks of facilitators such as money laundering organizations, complicit financial institutions, money service businesses (MSBs) and corrupt 

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