IN OUR OPINION: TASK FORCE WILL CLEAN UP STATE

Gov. Ernie Fletcher announced plans recently to form the Office of
Drug Control, headed by UK College of Law graduate Sylvia Lovely. This
office is a positive response to Kentucky's illegal drug problem - if
it gets the funding it deserves.

Methamphetamines, in particular, are no longer just problems in
Eastern Kentucky; this drug affects the whole state.

The number of meth labs seized has risen from 67 in 1999 to 476 in
2003, according to the National Drug Intelligence Center.

The office will head up development of new drug control policies and
work to establish more drug courts and treatment programs.

A panel co-chaired by Lt. Gov. Steve Pence earlier this year
recommended the creation of the office, and while running for governor
last year, Fletcher promised to address illegal drugs.

It's refreshing to see a politician actually follow through with a
campaign promise. But the office won't solve the problem if it isn't
adequately funded. Fletcher said about $1.5 million in existing money
from the general fund will keep the program afloat the first year.

Beyond 2005, there's cause for concern. Taxes on a legal drug,
cigarettes, may be used to finance the program. Fletcher plans to make
a recommendation to the state legislature by January.

Pence's committee recommended raising the tax 3 to 9 cents per pack.
The current cigarette tax is 3 cents per pack.

This could raise up to $60 million more for combating illegal drugs.
Fletcher had proposed raising the per-pack cigarette tax 26 cents last
year, but the legislature adjourned without taking action. It's time
for the legislature to either raise the per-pack cigarette tax to fund
this program or allocate monies from another fund. The program will be
for naught if it isn't adequately funded, and Kentuckians cannot
afford to allow the illegal drug problem to reach catastrophic
proportions.