Border Anti-Drug Strategy Outlined

The Obama administration’s 2009 counternarcotics strategy includes high-tech efforts to prevent the flow of drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border and a stepped-up campaign to cut drug demand, the Associated Press reported June 6.

Drug czar Gil Kerlikowske, Attorney General Eric Holder and Homeland Security head Janet Napolitano detailed a plan that relies on everything from nonlethal weapons to halt vehicles and boats used by drug smugglers to increased cooperation with Mexico to fight violent drug cartels.

The plan will be submitted to Congress, where Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, complained that the administration failed to address turf battles between the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department over drug investigations. Administration officials said they are working on a solution and would announce changes shortly.