Cabinet ‘Drug Czar’ Not Necessary, Meese Says

Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III told Congress on Thursday that some weeks he spends 100% of his time in the battle against illegal narcotics, but he said there is no need for a separate “drug czar” to coordinate that effort.

The creation of such a Cabinet-level position, long sought by presidential hopeful Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.), simply would “create at least one additional layer of bureaucracy . . . and it would set back our anti-drug efforts in the federal government by at least two to three years,” Meese said.

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing called by Biden, the attorney general also criticized what he called “attempts by congressional committees to micromanage executive functions,” noting that 15 panels in the Senate and 17 in the House focus on various aspects of the drug problem.

Reagan Vetoes Bill

Congress in 1983 approved a bill sponsored by Biden to create a Cabinet-level officer to coordinate and implement the Federal Drug Control Program. But President Reagan vetoed the bill and established instead the National Drug Enforcement Policy Board, headed by Meese, to lead the federal drug control program.

“I applaud you for your efforts in this area, but I think more can be done,” Biden told Meese.

Meese said there have been “a number of specific achievements under the drug policy board.” He said that, through the coordination provided by the board, the need for additional prosecutors in the Southwest became apparent and more were added.

In addition, he said, the board is coordinating efforts in drug interdiction and prosecution and in reducing the demand for drugs through education.

Other Responsibilities

“It’s a mammoth job,” Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) told Meese. After noting that the attorney general has many other responsibilities, he asked: “How effectively can you fulfill this coordinating role?”

“Primarily, by careful management of my time and setting priorities,” Meese said, adding later, “I give as much time as is necessary.” Some weeks it occupies 100% of his time, some weeks less, he said.

Sen. Dennis DeConcini (D-Ariz.) contended that the policy board “hasn’t worked as an absolute coordinator might work,” and that “drugs are coming into this country at a greater speed than ever before.”