President Barack Obama's counter-narcotics chief, Gil Kerlikowske, won overwhelming confirmation by the US Senate Thursday against the backdrop of worries about Mexico's war on the illegal trade.
Lawmakers voted 91-1 to confirm the hard-charging Seattle police chief to head the Office of National Drug Control Policy, which coordinates the US government's campaign against narcotics.
Administration officials have denied the position of drug "czar" had been demoted, even though Kerlikowske will not have the cabinet rank enjoyed by the previous Bush administration official in his role.
An official said Kerlikowske would have direct access to the top. He will not have a cabinet seat purely because counter-narcotics is part of Vice President Joe Biden's portfolio.
Kerlikowske was nominated for the job despite the fact that his stepson from a previous marriage had been arrested in the past on drugs charges.
The US drugs czar is charged with setting US policies, priorities and objectives for the US drug control program, and aims to cut back on drug use, manufacturing, trafficking, drug-related crime and violence.
