DEA chief visits Tulsa, says agency still committed to fighting drug war

The head of the Drug Enforcement Administration is assuring Sheriffsâ€™ meeting in Tulsa, it is not reducing its commitment to drug investigations. <br><br>Drug Enforcement Agency boss Asa Hutchinson

Wednesday, June 26th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The head of the Drug Enforcement Administration is assuring Sheriffsâ€™ meeting in Tulsa, it is not reducing its commitment to drug investigations.

Drug Enforcement Agency boss Asa Hutchinson spoke before the National Sheriff's Convention Tuesday. His visit comes just one day after FBI boss Robert Mueller told of plans to move 400 agents from drugs to anti-terrorism. Mueller says that will create more of a burden on local law enforcement.

Hutchinson says the DEA will fill the slack left by that shift. "The DEA wants to be able to accept additional responsibility to make sure the support for our sheriff's and chiefs of police remain steadfast."

Hutchinson says the DEA is reorganizing to maximize the number of agents in the field. He says he'll ask Congress for more money to help fight the war on drugs.