The New Drug Czar Is Here
February 12th, 2009 by Perry
Ending months of speculation, the Seattle P-I reports a former Seattle police chief will be named the country’s next “drug czar.”
Unfortunately, it’s not Norm Stamper, it’s Gil Kerlikowske – and the jury is still out on him.
Kerlikowske has kept a national profile in the last nine years. As Seattle’s chief of police he’s appeared on several major networks as a member or chair of multiple national law enforcement organizations. He’s spoken out on topics like nonlethal weapons for officers to emphasizing community policing.
Impressively, he leaves Seattle with crime at a 40-year low.
I haven’t seen anything from NORML about him yet, but I’m sure we’ll hear more once the announcement is made official.
Having lived next to Seattle for a couple years, I’ve heard several firsthand accounts of the police being fairly reasonable in the city in regards to possession scenarios, as long as you’re not a dirtbag or uncooperative.
How well Kerlikowske meshes with Eric Holder, who heads the Department of Justice, will be an interesting dynamic to watch.
