Press Release

White House Announces Intent to Nominate Scott Burns as Deputy Director of National Drug Control Policy

(Washington, D.C.)—Today, the White House announced the President's intent to nominate Scott Burns of Utah as the Deputy Director of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). The Deputy Director oversees the implementation of the President's policies for reducing drug use in America by preventing drug use before it starts, healing America's drug users, and disrupting the market for illegal drugs by attacking the economic basis of the drug trade.

John P. Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy, said, "Over the past five years, Scott has traveled extensively across the Nation and the world in support of President Bush's National Drug Control Strategy. His wide-ranging experience and knowledge regarding drug policy will contribute greatly to our ability to coordinate Federal, State, and local efforts that help make our national drug problem smaller. I look forward to working with Scott in his new role as he expands upon his work in protecting American communities from the harms of illegal drugs."

Since April of 2002, Scott Burns has served as ONDCP's Deputy Director for State, Local and Tribal Affairs and will continue to serve in this capacity until confirmed by the United States Senate. In his duties as Deputy Director for State, Local, and Tribal Affairs, Mr. Burns has overseen the $226 million High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program and has assumed leadership for several Administration initiatives, including the development of a national methamphetamine strategy, reducing prescription drug abuse, enhancing drug courts, eradicating marijuana on public lands, and reducing drug abuse in Indian Country. Mr. Burns also currently serves as the United States' representative to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), an international organization charged with eliminating doping and drug use in sport.

Mr. Burns attended college in Cedar City, Utah where he was inducted into the Southern Utah University Sports Hall of Fame, and law school in San Diego, California.