By Steve Neavling
Peter B. Bensinger, who led the DEA through a critical period in the late 1970s and early 1980s, has died at 88.
Bensinger, who served as DEA administrator from 1976 to 1981 under Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan, died on Feb. 11 after a long illness, the Chicago Tribune reports. He was surrounded by family in Palm Desert, California.
Appointed as the agency’s second administrator, Bensinger oversaw efforts to combat drug trafficking and addiction at a time when heroin and cocaine were spreading rapidly across the country. He advocated for stricter drug enforcement policies while also pushing for education and prevention initiatives. His leadership earned praise from lawmakers, and when he stepped down in 1981, the Congressional Record recognized his tenure as “brilliant, patriotic, and energetic.”
Before leading the DEA, Bensinger headed Illinois’ Department of Corrections, where he was known for his reform efforts. After leaving the DEA, he co-founded Bensinger, DuPont & Associates, a firm specializing in workplace substance abuse programs.
In later years, he remained an active voice on drug policy, criminal justice reform, and public health issues. He frequently contributed to major news outlets and appeared on national television programs, sharing his insights on addiction and law enforcement.
Bensinger is survived by his wife, Dr. Judith Anne Schneebeck, three daughters, a son, a brother, and five grandchildren. A memorial service is planned for early summer.
