Posted on 12/03/2016 11:02:52 AM PST by Kaslin
Many critical issues tied to fundamental bureaucratic reform and redirection of federal policies await the Trump/Pence cabinet. But one cabinet pick, often forgotten and vital to redirecting national policy at a time of crisis, is the so-called “Drug Czar.” Formally, this post is known as the White House Director of the Office of National Drug Control (ONDCP). This position has never been more important, nor has any president been better positioned to shape the future with such an appointment.
Opiate addiction has skyrocketed, leading to a breathtaking loss of 47,055 lives last year. Deaths by synthetic drugs quintupled in some categories. Marijuana use, the number one basis for drug treatment, has jumped by 27 percent (during Obama’s years). Drugged driving has risen by roughly 20 percent, and 80 percent of men arrested for property and personal crime in major cities test positive for drugs. This is a genuine crisis enveloping the country.
To assess the mandate for change, consider that every single state and congressional district is affected by this crisis. Every teacher and parent knows that something is badly wrong. Governors, police chiefs, mayors, and sheriffs are all spending more time on this issue than when they first took their jobs. The fabric of the country is being affected. Now, add the overlay of national security, intelligence sharing, second and third order effects on public health and safety, and you have a bona fides crisis. People do not like to talk about this issue, but they must – and so must a drug czar and the next president.
Yes, everyone has their role, and there is room for discussion at edges of every hurricane, but preparing, responding, and engaging frontally and without compromise at the moment of high risk and concern –now – should be the priority. There are good people who will fill key roles, focusing intently on this issue, including at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Justice, Defense, State and Health and Human Service Departments, but the next President needs to have – and will send a clear signal to working parents, kids, civic leaders, and law enforcement officers by having – a cabinet-rank White House drug czar.
Two of the best who have held this position were Bill Bennett and former General Barry McCaffery – both got real results for America and their presidents, working with the public and with Congress tirelessly. Both could do that because they had a position in the cabinet. The crises that faced Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton were nothing by comparison, on hard numbers, to what we now face. So, President Trump and Vice President Pence, assuring your White House Drug Czar has “cabinet rank” is …essential.
Arguments can be made for dual-hatting that role with a new DEA Administrator, assuring counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics mission are locked tightly together, that information is shared seamless with the National Security Council, up and down law enforcement and across prevention, treatment and state and local leadership, but that are discussions for another day. Needed now is a clear message, and clear commitment, to ending the unconscionable, avoidable, reversible and significant drug crisis confronting the country.
Having long ago helped Congress write laws that must now to be enforced, and which in some ways have been badly battered, from the Drug Czar Authorization Act to the Drug Free Communities Act, the Speed Trafficking Act (advanced by a Congressman named Sessions), to Plan Colombia and the Drug Kingpins Act, time is now to make these laws real. It's time for the nation’s drug czar, attorney general, and DEA head to speak with one voice. They also need to act with “unity of command” and pursue one mission, helping reduce the “grief quotient” of parents, frustration of communities coast to coast, and national security implications. Now is the time. The new leadership can make all the difference by elevating their new drug czar back to pre-Obama rank of cabinet member, and then letting the nation know that America is committed to our kids and public safety, law enforcement, prevention, effective treatment, and this important element of national security. We will all benefit with that priority set.
uh....No. adios all the freakin czars.
What about the people who actually need pain meds?
NO CZARS This is not Russia.
Stpo with the unconstitutional Czar crapola.
Stop with the unconstitutional Czar crapola.
Robert Charles is a snotty little weakling.
“Trump’s recent comments about women have made me literally sick to my stomach. I understand what Ryan, McConnell and others are feeling, a sense of utter disbelief, revulsion and disgust. This entire election has made me, as a former public servant, military officer, lawyer, husband and father, sick to my stomach. “
“The choice before us, as so many of us now realize, is a Hobson’s choice, a choice between two impossible options, a lose-lose, compounded by the fact that not voting or voting a third party is a surrogate for one of the other choices, which only means we are in terrible corner.”
another needless position
Weak men like the author of this Townhall article enjoy controlling every aspect of other people’s lives through the power of others bigger than him, such as czars. This is regardless of whether it has negative effects or not. See post #7.
Thanks for posting this and #7.
Weak men like the author of this Townhall article enjoy controlling every aspect of other people’s lives through the power of others bigger than him, such as czars. This is regardless of whether it has negative effects or not. See post #7.
These beltway faux conservatives love to tell us how to live our lives and recommend the so called Czars who know better the we, the peons do. $crew these know betters.
“What about the people who actually need pain meds?”
We can’t get them.
“Robert Charles is a snotty little weakling.”
Why so kind?
“uh....No. adios all the freakin czars.”
Ping-worthy
How about Tommy Chong for the job?
I think he’s dead, but otherwise good choice.
No, hell no-return parents to being “real” parents to their kids-as in being responsible for paying attention to what their kids are doing-not crying and howling for somebody else to fix things, throw other people’s money at it, make more laws, etc when their kid becomes an addict and/or a criminal-lo siento mucho, but this isn’t Hillary’s village and it is not anyone else’s problem...
Get rid of all the czars-as another poster pointed out, this is not Russia...
Just say no to the failed War on Drugs.
Just say no to “czars” as well.
Cannabis is a state issue. Fedzilla needs to shut down the WoD asap.
Tommy Chong is alive & well.
He beat cancer for a 2nd time.
That appears to have been a rumor. According to several recent articles he is still alive, or at least he was as of September 23, 2016, when he and his wife tweeted the following:
I’m not dead but I just smoked a killer joint. — Tommy Chong (@tommychong) September 23, 2016
Thanks to everyone who has been offering me condolences but, the man is far from dead my friends. https://t.co/2XJc2AOOZp — Shelby Chong (@shelbychong) September 23, 2016
See the following article from September 25, 2016: Is Tommy Chong Dead: Did Stoner Comedian Lose Cancer Battle?
IF a fund is started to buy this wimp a bottle of Maalox, let me know
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