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The Canada-United States Joint Action Plan on Opioids Steering Committee has issued a collective assertion on the issue of opioids.

International 3 Mins Read

Office of the Spokesperson
The following joint statement was released by the Governments of Canada and the United States of America on the meeting of the Canada-United States Joint Action Plan on Opioids Steering Committee.
Begin text:
Canada and the United States continue to face an ongoing crisis of opioid overdose deaths, fueled by a toxic illegal drug supply. This crisis is devastating and has taken a tragic toll on the families, loved ones and communities of all those lost. Canada and the United States continue to work closely together through the Joint Action Plan on Opioids (OAP) to find solutions to this shared challenge and help save lives. 
Senior officials from both countries met in Ottawa to address substance use disorder and the opioid overdose crisis and discuss progress in the areas of law enforcement, border security and public health since the last meeting of the Steering Committee in May 2021.  The governments also set priorities for the year ahead to disrupt and dismantle the trafficking of opioids, including illegal fentanyl, and expand access to public health strategies.
Key Milestones in 2022:

Health: Published a joint white paper, Substance Use and Harms During COVID-19 and Approaches to Federal Surveillance and Response, that examines rapid and innovative approaches used by both countries to monitor substance use trends during the pandemic. The paper includes information on substance use harms and deaths in Canada and the United States, the impact of COVID-19 on the opioids crisis, and policy responses to address substance use from the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic to September 2022;
Law Enforcement: Shared more than 275 samples of seized controlled substances since the OAP’s inception. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police shares such samples with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for supplemental analysis that provides additional insight into drug trafficking trends and routes; and,
Border Security: Improved information sharing and collaboration between the Canada Border Services Agency and the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations to target the trafficking of precursor chemicals used in the production of deadly synthetic opioids like illegal fentanyl;
Postal Security: Continued implementation of the successful Canada-U.S. Postal Security Action Plan, including information sharing, high-level meetings, and joint training exercises to address the opioid overdose crisis.

The 2021 Roadmap for a Renewed Canada-U.S. Partnership, by Prime Minister Trudeau and President Biden, reaffirmed our commitment to work together to find effective approaches to shared challenges, including those related to substance use and drug trafficking. 
In its third year, the OAP remains an effective bilateral mechanism to address the opioid overdose crisis in both countries, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the coming year, Canada and the United States will continue to build on these advancements and explore opportunities for further exchanges of important information, lessons learned, and ultimately continue collaboration to address substance-related harms in both countries.
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Embassy in San Jose has organized the country’s initial active threat response training program.

International 3 Mins Read

By Office Management Specialist Veronica Marquez, U.S. Embassy San Jose Regional Security Office
Run. Hide. Fight. These three words are drilled into anyone learning how to respond to an active threat situation.
From July 25-29, 2022, a team of agents from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) traveled to Costa Rica to train first responders, law enforcement officials, teachers, and school staff on how to respond quickly and effectively to an active threat scenario. Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) special agents in the Regional Security Office (RSO) at the U.S. Embassy in San Jose organized the training, which was held at Costa Rica’s National Police Academy, a longtime partner of the RSO team, and at five schools that host U.S. government children.
Hundreds of participants signed up for USDA’s Law Enforcement Response to Active Threat training – more than 50 first responders from Costa Rican law enforcement agencies and over 300 teachers and administrators, including those who instruct the children of personnel working at the embassy. To make sure that the participants received appropriate instruction based on their job function, the USDA trainers and RSO team split the classes. First responders received two sessions over a period of two days. At the same time, USDA instructors provided a separate active threat response session to teachers and administrators.
According to Regional Security Officer Justin Smith, the USDA’s training equips participants with the knowledge and skills required to successfully react to an active threat event.
“Active threat situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly,” said Smith. “This course trained first responders from multiple agencies on how to form ad hoc teams and work together to intervene at a moment’s notice to stop an active threat incident.”
According to the UDSA instructors, the “Run, Hide, Fight” principles prepare and empower administrators, teachers and students to react both mentally and physically if they are faced with an active threat scenario. The USDA instructors are well-equipped to provide the training, as they are responsible for active threat response training at more than 4,500 USDA locations.
Although Costa Rica is known as a relatively safe country, it is now the largest transshipment point of narcotics between the United States and Europe. Additionally, gun violence and threats against schools are on the rise, with more than 70 threats of violence against schools in Costa Rica this year.
Prior to the training, none of the schools or Costa Rican law enforcement agencies had a plan for dealing with an active threat situation.
A key function of DSS is to partner and train with host nation law enforcement entities, who assist with responding to threats against U.S. missions and personnel. However, the organization’s core duty is to protect people, facilities, and information at more than 270 State Department missions around the globe. and that includes the children of U.S. diplomats at missions overseas.
“The entire U.S. mission in Costa Rica is grateful for the USDA team’s willingness to help our schools and the host nation,” said Smith. “This cooperative effort was diplomacy at its finest and helped strengthen key relationships. Most importantly, this training increased participants’ ability to respond to a potential crisis, which will help keep our children and teachers safer.”

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The Diplomatic Security Service is the primary provider of security for the United States at the World Cup.

International 2 Mins Read

The Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) is the security lead for the United States at the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Doha, Qatar. DSS personnel in Qatar are serving in liaison, advisory, and security support roles to protect the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team as well as U.S. corporate stakeholders and U.S. citizens attending the World Cup.
“The Diplomatic Security Service has decades of experience leading international security events and we are committed to the safety of U.S. citizens and athletes attending the FIFA World Cup in Doha, Qatar,” said Andrew Wroblewski, deputy assistant secretary and assistant director of DSS domestic operations.
Mr. Wroblewski chairs the International Security Event Group, a multi-agency body of more than 20 U.S. agencies, responsible for coordinating all U.S. security and law enforcement planning for major overseas events such as the World Cup.
“The Diplomatic Security Service has numerous special agents and analysts managing a Joint Operations Center at the U.S. Embassy in Doha, a 24/7 security operation that is also supported by our interagency partners,” said Wroblewski
Security planning for major sporting events like the World Cup starts over two years in advance. DSS is responsible for coordinating with U.S. interagency, and Qatari government law enforcement and security agencies to ensure a safe and secure competition.
The Diplomatic Security Service has the largest global presence of any U.S. law enforcement organization, operating at more than 270 U.S. diplomatic posts in over 170 countries, and in 32 U.S. cities. The organization investigates transnational crimes and protects State Department facilities, people, and information as part of its mission to lead worldwide security and law enforcement efforts that advance U.S. foreign policy and safeguard national security interests.
To learn more about the Diplomatic Security Service, please visit diplomaticsecurity.state.gov.
For media queries, please contact [email protected].

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Non-combatant evacuation training is enhanced by the unique expertise of both Diplomatic Security Service and foreign service personnel.

International 3 Mins Read

By Assistant Regional Security Officer Austin Fong, U.S. Embassy Hanoi, Vietnam
From political unrest to full-on military invasions, there is no shortage of threats to diplomatic operations around the globe. During times of crisis, Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) special agents play a key role in collaborating with interagency partners, garnering military assisted embassy reinforcement, advising the ambassador on how to provide a safe environment for continued diplomatic engagement, and, in the worst-case scenario, coordinating for the evacuation of U.S. government personnel, diplomatic facilities, and American citizens.
If political unrest, conflict, or natural disaster threatens East Asian and Pacific (EAP) diplomatic operations, the U.S. Marine Corps’ III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) would likely be the first to respond and would play a major role in supporting embassies, specifically the regional security offices, to bolster defenses and, if necessary, evacuate personnel. The III MEF, stationed in Okinawa, Japan, is the only MEF that permanently remains overseas, creating an enduring presence in Japan. Because of its placement, it acts as an immediate response force for the Pacific region.
Marine Expeditionary Forces often invite interagency partners, including DSS special agents, to participate in non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO) exercises. Because III MEF is stationed in Okinawa, it is difficult for non-Department of Defense (DOD) volunteers to support their NEO exercises. However, for the first time, U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) officers hailing from U.S. Embassy Bangkok, American Institute in Taiwan, U.S. Embassy Hanoi, and U.S. Consulate Fukuoka participated in a NEO exercise. Together, they created a simulated country team with individuals training in the roles of ambassador and section chiefs for consular affairs, management, public affairs, USAID, and the regional security office.
Once the team was in place, the III MEF created an evolving multi-day exercise that simulated a country becoming increasingly unstable due to violent unrest. The exercise led to an embassy drawdown requiring embassy reinforcement, reaction to riots and attacks on the embassy compound, improvised explosive device threats, high level meetings on the amphibious assault ship U.S.S. Tripoli with transport provided by MV-22 Ospreys, establishment of a non-combatant processing site, and the evacuation of the mock embassy and fleeing American citizens.
The DSS special agent participating in the training served as the senior regional security officer. Throughout the seven-day training, the special agent advised the ambassador and country team on the entire spectrum of security matters in an evolving threat environment. He led emergency action committee meetings, created operational plans to bolster the safety of American diplomats in the field, addressed destruction of sensitive equipment, and facilitated embassy reinforcement with DOD elements. In addition to developing safe evacuation procedures, the special agent closely supported the ambassador on the high-level security issues of evolving U.S. government activities in country.
These trainings are great opportunities to not only implement a DSS special agent’s knowledge in traditional and high-threat overseas operations, but to be a part of the interagency cross-pollination process that keeps diplomatic personnel safe around the world. Volunteering for NEO certification trainings provides DSS special agents exposure to strategic-type conversations at the ambassadorial level, execution of capabilities integration between the regional security office and DOD, the critical work consular officers do to evacuate Americans, and so much more.

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Lula da Silva is aiming to bring a glimmer of hope by putting an end to the destruction of the rainforests.

International 5 Mins Read

The Amazon rainforest is threatened with collapse. If nothing is done about deforestation, a chain reaction will be set in motion that will cause the unique ecosystem to disappear forever and further fuel climate change. But the election of Lula da Silva as president of Brazil gives hope. Lula announced his intention to end the
The post A new hope: Lula da Silva wants to end rainforest deforestation appeared first on scoop.me.

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President Biden has selected individuals to occupy important positions on boards and commissions.

International 1 Min Read

WASHINGTON – Today, President Biden announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to serve as members on the Route 66 Centennial Commission: Caroline Beteta, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission Danielle E. Blackshear, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission Mark V. Falzone, Member, Route 66 Centennial Commission Tim J.…
The post President<span class=”dewidow”> </span>Biden Announces Key Appointments to Boards and<span class=”dewidow”> </span>Commissions appeared first on The White House.