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The White House Office of National Drug
Control Policy (ONDCP), a former cabinet level[1] component of the Executive
Office of the President of the United States, was established in 1988 by the
Anti-Drug Abuse Act. Its stated goal is to establish policies, priorities,
and objectives to eradicate illicit drug use, manufacturing, and
trafficking, drug-related crime and violence, and drug-related health
consequences in the U.S.
The office of Director of National Drug Control Policy is colloquially known
as the "Drug Czar", a term first used in the media by then-Senator Joe Biden
in October 1982.[2][3] In addition to running the ONDCP, the director
evaluates, coordinates, and oversees both the international and domestic
anti-drug efforts of executive branch agencies and ensures that such efforts
sustain and complement State and local anti-drug activities. The Director
advises the President regarding changes in the organization, management,
budgeting, and personnel of federal agencies that effect U.S. anti-drug
efforts; and regarding federal agency compliance with their obligations
under the National Drug Control Strategy, an annual report required by law.
The current director is Gil Kerlikowske, who assumed the office on May 7,
2009.[4]
As of mid-2006, there were 111 full-time employees at ONDCP.[ |
