White House drug policy director Barry McCaffrey is leaving his post to pursue opportunities in the private sector, which could include teaching national security issues at the university level, the Associated Press reported.
In announcing his surprise decision Monday, McCaffrey said in a statement that "he was grateful for the leadership and support" of the Clinton administration.
His resignation is effective Jan. 6, 2001, two weeks before Clinton leaves office.
McCaffrey said in the statement that federal funds to fight drugs have increased and that adolescent drug abuse has fallen since he was appointed.
A retired Army general, McCaffrey has been Clinton's director of national drug control policy since April 1996 and previously served as commander of the Army's Southern Division.
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