Clinton Names General McCaffrey as "Drug Czar" Nominee

ONDCP February 1996

During his State of the Union speech, President Clinton named Army General Barry R. McCaffrey as his nominee for the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

McCaffrey, a 29-year Army veteran, has been the Commander in Chief of the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) in Panama since February 1994. SOUTHCOM is the branch of the military responsible for coordinating counterdrug operations in Central and South American countries. The command was established by a Joint Chiefs of Staff strategy for Defense Department anti-drug activities called for in 1989 legislation.

He has also served as the Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and was the commander of the 24th Mechanized Infantry Division during Desert Storm. He has also served in a combat capacity in Vietnam and the Dominican Republic. He has been awarded two Distinguished Service Crosses, a Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts.

McCaffrey's nomination must be confirmed by the Senate Judiciary Committee before he takes the office.

[For a complete bio of Gen. McCaffrey, contact the NewsBriefs office.]