Senate confirms Obama drug czar

The Senate on Monday confirmed 92-0 President Obama’s nominee to serve as the administration’s “czar” overseeing drug control policy.

Michael Botticelli has served as acting director of the U.S. National Drug Control Policy since March, after previously working as deputy director starting in November 2012.

{mosads}Monday’s vote was the first of the new GOP-controlled Senate on an Obama administration nominee.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) supported Botticelli’s nomination, noting before the vote that drug abuse is a major issue in his state. 

“Drug abuse is a serious problem in my home state. Kentucky is the fifth-highest prescribing state when it comes to painkillers, and we have the nation’s third-highest drug-overdose mortality rate — with many deaths driven by prescription painkillers,” McConnell said.

Botticelli will replace Gil Kerlikowske, who stepped down as drug czar in March.