Jim Ramstad. Photo: WDCpix

Jim Ramstad. Photo: WDCpix

Although Republican Rep. Jim Ramstad’s name has been floated to become the head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy in President-Elect Obama’s White House, Ramstad’s congressional allies have approached senior members of Obama’s transition team on Ramstad’s behalf to become the next  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration administrator.

Ramstad’s allies told Obama’s aides that the nine-term congressman is better suited to be the head of the government’s chief addiction and mental health agency rather than the “drug czar,” according to a congressional aide familiar with the discussions.

Ramstad, a recovering alcoholic, helped write the legislation requiring insurance companies to treat physical and mental health costs that Congress approved as part of the bailout package earlier this year. Addiction and substance abuse advocates have praised Ramstad for his work.

Dean Peterson, Ramstad’s spokesman, did not return a phone call for comment.

The agency is part of the Department of Health and Human Services. It has a staff of 528 and a $3.3 billion budget. The acting administrator is Rear Admiral Eric B. Broderick, a 34-year veteran of the U.S. Public Health Service.

Jonathan E. Kaplan is the Center for Independent Media’s Washington correspondent.