COUNTY FUNDS LACKING FOR ANTI-DRUG EFFORTS

There is a critical shortage of funding to help those with drug problems in
Eastern Jackson County, according to information given to the anti-drug
committee of the Jackson County Legislature Monday.

William Kyles, director of Comprehensive Mental Health and Renaissance
West, said there are only four detoxification beds located in Eastern
Jackson County.

"We do what we can to help with Renaissance West, which is really designed
to help people in Kansas City, but it makes it difficult for someone who
lives in Grain Valley or Oak Grove or Buckner. They have to leave their
surroundings, friends and families to get the help they need," Kyles said.

Kyles comments came during a discussion of the county's funding for
Comprehensive Mental Health and Renaissance West. He told the Legislature
that the county's portion of funding for these programs has fallen steadily
in the past two years.

Ron Finley, D-Kansas City, asked if it was true that funding for Kyles'
program had fallen $111,000 over two years. Dan Tarwater, D-Kansas City,
explained that funding for the anti-drug and detoxification programs peaked
two years ago as a result of a budget surplus.

"It makes the funding now look like a cut, but it resulted from addition to
the budget in times of surplus," Tarwater said. Jim Nunnelly, of the
Community Backed Anti-drug Tax (COMBAT) commission, said the surplus came
in the 1996 county budget, but went into funding in the 1998 fiscal year.

"If we're cutting the services, do we have a way of tracking the people to
find out where they're going?" Finley asked.

"What happens is, they go without services," Kyles said.

Nunnelly said four studies are under way to determine the effectiveness of
drug treatment in Jackson County.

"When those are complete we'll be able to give you a better idea of what's
actually happening," he told the committee.

After hearing comments similar to Kyles' from Susan Wilkins of the Swope
Parkway Behavioral Health Center, the committee voted to hold action on
drug treatment funding until its next meeting in order to gather more
information.

In other business Monday, the Legislature:

* Passed a resolution authorizing the county executive to complete a
contract for Truman Medical Center Behavioral Health services, funding
additional substance abuse treatment with $281,200.

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