his first government post was counsel for congressman leo zeferreti, chairman of the house select committee on narcotics abuse and control, in 1982. according to the daily news, "studies his office initiated on narcotics enforcement, such as bail reform and mandatory sentencing, resulted in reams of legislation, including the anti-drug abuse act of 1986, one of the bedrocks of our national drug policy." he was named staff director of that agency in 1987, joining the drug control policy office as director of legislative affairs in 1993. the washington post in 1993 called him "a widely respected drug expert." he was instrumental in developing the anti-drug abuse acts of 1986 and 1988.