COMMENTS ON CREATION OF DRUG CZAR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85M00364R000701190035-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: January 4, 2017
• Document Release Date: April 18, 2008
• Sequence Number: 35
• Publication Date: December 28, 1982
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2008/04/18: CIA-RDP85M00364R000701190035-9
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Legislation Division
Office of General Counsel
SUBJECT: Comments on Creation of "Drug Czar"
REFERENCE: Memorandum for DDI from Chief, Legislation
Division, OGC, dated 22 December 1982, Subject:
Administration Position on Legislation That
Would Establish a New Office of National and
International Drug Operations and Policy
1. I have reviewed the referenced Congressional proposal
and do not support efforts to create a cabinet level "'drug czar."
2. Establishment of a "drug czar" would at best add
bureaucracy to current federal efforts to combat the illegal drug
problem. It would inevitably exacerbate turf battles thereby
undermining interagency cooperation as the federal agencies would
seek to protect their perceived organizational interests. At
worst, the complication of policy and operational directives from
a cabinet level "drug czar" only loosely accountable for resource
expenditures might erode current progress
3. DDI personnel are in contact with the strategic
narcotics policy elements of the federal government. We
routinely provide support to Dr. Carlton Turner, the White House
Advisor on Drug Abuse Policy, and to the Department of State,
Bureau of International Narcotics Matters. I believe that these
two entities combined with the DCI's establishment of. the
National Intelligence Officer for Narcotics and the tasking of
the Deputy Director of the Intelligence Community Staff to focus
on narcotics issues satisfy many of the concerns of Senators
Biden, DeConcini, and Pell. These appointments represent the use
of existing resources in a sensible way and draw together the
traditional Intelligence Community and other federal.
organizations concerned with the illegal drug problem.
Robert (q. Gates
Deputy Directo for Intelligence
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Approved For Release 2008/04/18: CIA-RDP85M00364R000701190035-9