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Invisible Chains: Human Trafficking, Drug Abuse, and Support

hands tied with rope in darkDespite the physical force that is often portrayed in movies, human traffickers more often lure their victims using psychological tactics. As a result, the victims can become dependent on the traffickers and the substances they supply. Trauma-informed care and advocacy are actions first responders, legislators, and others can take to support survivors within their communities.

Fentanyl Hazards and Detection

Two scientists in yellow PPE prepare samples under scientific hoodThe deadly opioid epidemic in the United States does not stop at overdoses. It also poses life-threatening exposure to first responders who arrive on scene. Learn about the new ways scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are expanding detection strategies and technologies to keep these responders safe.

A Modern Take on an Age-Old Biological Weapon

Two scientists in blue PPE gown and yellow gloves crouched while taking samplesReports about North Korea launching balloons filled with fecal matter and propaganda into South Korean territory were intriguing. However, this incident raises public health concerns and the question of whether fecal matter could be utilized in modern times as an effective biological weapon.

The Nexus Between Drug and Human Trafficking

mexican border, fence on left with woodsy mountain aheadTransnational criminal organizations are using their experience in drug trafficking to utilize routes and operating procedures to take advantage of other criminal opportunities, such as human trafficking.

A Plan to Protect the Youngest Children

two young children at desk writing with pencil in right handMost educational and training programs for protecting schools against targeted violence, drugs, and human trafficking do not include the youngest students – preschoolers. However, one program in Florida that is free to the schools is an example of how other states can close this preparedness gap.

Mitigate the Impacts When Communities and Nature Collide

wildfire in woods with smokeEmergency preparedness professionals plan for and try to mitigate natural hazard events, but nature is unpredictable. In this May edition of the Domestic Preparedness Journal, experts discuss past hazards and steps communities can take to mitigate their effects.

A Critical Imperative for Natural Hazards

truck on road with wildfire behind smokeAs the number and size of natural hazards increase across the globe, communities can take a comprehensive preparedness approach to mitigate their potentially devastating effects. By integrating the intricate interrelations of physical, social, economic, and environmental factors, communities can better withstand, adapt to, and recover from the shocks and stresses imposed by such events.

Key Bridge Collapse: Unity of Effort

Man in U.S. Coast Guard jacket looks over the water at a cargo ship and bridge that collapsed into the water next to itAs the response to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse continues in Baltimore, Maryland, the unity of effort among the many agencies and organizations involved has facilitated the progress. Together, they have been addressing the priorities of life safety, incident stabilization, property and asset protection, environmental and economic restoration, and recovery.

The Psychology of Crisis

Green typewriter with white paper with only the word "Crisis" on itThe psychological side of a disaster or other impactful event is a critical component of crisis management. However, many people still do not fully understand the predictable phases and patterns that could help them take the appropriate steps or actions to move through the crisis and mitigate its impact. Understanding the psychology involved makes a crisis much more manageable.

Resilience-Based CI and Domestic Preparedness: A Long-Overdue Imperative

Honeycomb graphic with images of the critical infrastructure sectorsFor decades, preparedness leaders have known and publicly warned about the rapidly growing and metastasizing threats to and exploitable vulnerabilities of U.S. critical infrastructure (CI). Ongoing iterations of the 1990s-era CI status quo (i.e., cybersecurity- and protection-focused efforts) have proven no match for the existing, much less looming, threats to and often self-inflicted vulnerabilities of the country’s cyber-reliant CI and domestic preparedness.
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