Seattle police chief seeks Senate OK as drug czar

He also told the Senate Judiciary Committee he will help develop a strategy to help address drug-related violence along the Mexican border.

"Our nation's demand for drugs often fuels drug production and trafficking, as well as violence and corruption, within other nations," Kerlikowske said. "Domestic drug use directly funds the terrible drug-related crime currently wracking Mexico and fuels illegal armed groups in Colombia."

While he and other officials would work to reduce the international drug supply, "the greatest contribution we can make toward stability would be to reduce our demand for illicit drugs" in the United States, Kerlikowske said.