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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010
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Seattle's Top Cop Picked for Drug Czar

Kerlikowske viewed as reformer, with personal experience of drugs' "devastating effects"

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(Newser) – President Obama will officially nominate Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske to be drug czar today, reports the Seattle Times. Though the job is being demoted from its Bush administration Cabinet status, Kerlikowske will have “a direct line to the president and vice president,” says an official. Drug law reformers view Kerlikowske, who said Seattle marijuana arrests were not a priority, as an ally.

Kerlikowske was rumored to be Obama’s pick for weeks, but the nomination was held up by the arrest last week of his son, whose police record includes marijuana possession and distribution. The nominee is expected to acknowledge his son's problems in accepting Obama’s offer. “As a police officer, but also in my own family, I have experienced firsthand the devastating effects that drugs can have,” says his prepared statement.

A protester who identified himself as
A protester who identified himself as "Farmer Dave" holds a sign protesting Drug Enforcement Agency raids on medical marijuana clinics in Los Angeles Tuesday, May 27, 2008.   (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
In this July 28, 2006, file photo, Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske looks up as a question is asked during a news conference about a shooting in downtown Seattle.
In this July 28, 2006, file photo, Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske looks up as a question is asked during a news conference about a shooting in downtown Seattle.   (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske speaks about the shooting by Seattle Police officers of Miles Murphy, 22, during a news conference at police headquarters in Seattle, Friday, Jan. 2, 2009.
Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske speaks about the shooting by Seattle Police officers of Miles Murphy, 22, during a news conference at police headquarters in Seattle, Friday, Jan. 2, 2009.   (AP Photo/Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Andy Rogers)
In this June 21, 1999 file photo, Gloria J. Woods, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Oklahoma City office of the Drug Enforcement Agency, talks about the seizure of 600 pounds of marijuana.
In this June 21, 1999 file photo, Gloria J. Woods, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Oklahoma City office of the Drug Enforcement Agency, talks about the seizure of 600 pounds of marijuana.   (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter)
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Our nation's drug problem is one of human suffering. As a police officer, but also in my own family, I have experienced firsthand the devastating effects that drugs can have on our youth, our families and our communities. -

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northeast
Mar 11, 09 8:34 AM CDT
Wow, we've got ourselves a real gumshoe here...how hard is it to find drugs in Seattle? Props to Obama for taking away cabinet status for this job, though. Reply
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