Obama Taps Police Veteran For Drug Czar

By: Brent Lang
Topics: White House

(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama will appoint a 36-year law enforcement veteran to be the country's next drug czar, the Associated Press reports.

An administration official said that R. Gil Kerlikowske, Seattle's police chief, has been tapped to lead the nation's drug control program. It's a job that in past administrations has been a Cabinet-level post. As drug czar, Kerlikowske, 59, will head the Office of National Drug Control Policy, which is responsible for reducing illegal drug use and trafficking, drug-related crime, and drug-related health problems in coordination with federal, state, and local entities. The office was established in 1988.

The official spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity as no official announcement had been made. There was no word on when Kerlikowske's appointment would be announced.

Before being appointed Seattle police chief, Kerlikowske (kur-lin-COW-skee) was an official at the U.S. Justice Department, overseeing community policing grants. He also has worked as a police officer in Florida and New York and in the U.S. Army Military Police.

Kerlikowske holds both undergraduate and masters degrees in criminal justice from the University of South Florida in Tampa, and is a graduate of the National Executive Institute at the Federal Bureau of Investigations Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

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by smartj08 February 13, 2009 6:21 PM EST: Obviously this postiton must be of some value for it to be in effect. Morover for the person who said get rid of the program, all you will do is cause more unemployment and cause this recession to fall deeper into one of the worst depressions in our country''s history. We should not get rid of this program or any other program that is. I am a freshman at the University of South Florida where Mr. Kerlikowske grqaduated from, and I seem to have better sense then some of you who believe that we should alleviate this program. What next, due away with other social programs. Come on now lets get real! And as for President Obama''s appointment he made a great decision and is making great progress in his first 100 days in office.
And as side note, Go Bulls!; Reply to this comment


by fredcs25 February 13, 2009 4:52 PM EST: Czar? Thought we were a republic not a socialistic government? Obama shows his true colors.; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 February 13, 2009 2:43 PM EST: Rush Limbaugh! should be appointed to the position of "DRUG CZAR" my friendthzzzz....; Reply to this comment


by wardoglrs February 13, 2009 7:11 AM EST: Expanding Government means more taxes to pay more fines more fees more penalties. Obama is Moron where is the MONEY going to come from?.

If they print it you lose If they borrow it you lose if they tax it you lose

Like I say:
STUPID VOTERS = STUPID LEADERS; Reply to this comment


by kansas1946 February 12, 2009 10:51 PM EST: This is one department that could be shut down, save us a lot of money, and save Americans a lot of grief.; Reply to this comment