Byrd Sees Nothing New, Not Enough Money in Drug ‘War’

President Reagan briefed congressional leaders today on his campaign to wipe out drug abuse in America and asked them to support it, but some Democrats complained that Reagan’s program is unimaginative and inadequately funded.

“I came away with the impression that the Administration doesn’t have really any new far-reaching proposals,” said Senate Democratic leader Robert C. Byrd as he emerged from a White House meeting.

Byrd, a West Virginia lawmaker, said Reagan planned to ask Congress to increase spending on the drug problem, which now totals about $2 billion annually, by $250 million over the next two years.

“It appears to me that that’s not going to begin to be nearly enough,” said Byrd, who described drug abuse as the most serious problem facing the United States.

Since Reagan launched his anti-drug drive in August, aides have been looking at ways of implementing his goal of ridding American schools and workplaces of illicit drugs. A White House spokesman told reporters that the Domestic Policy Council, a Cabinet-level advisory body, will meet Wednesday to put the final touches on a set of recommendations.

Senate Republican leader Bob Dole said after Reagan’s meeting with the lawmakers he hoped the anti-drug drive would not be bogged down by partisan wrangling over how much money should be devoted to the program.

But Dole indicated he also favors greater spending than Reagan plans. The Kansas senator said he would propose a voluntary tax checkoff, similar to the scheme used to help fund presidential campaigns, to fight illicit drug use.