INCREASE CIGARETTE TAX TO FUND STATE'S DRUG CONTROL PLAN

On Monday, Aug. 30, you ran an editorial entitled "Fletcher plans drug
fight on the cheap." It commended Gov. Ernie Fletcher for his plan to
tackle the commonwealth's drug problem by creating the Office of Drug
Control Policy, but expressed concern that the initiative lacks a strategy
for funding its goals.

I support the Governor, and Lt. Gov. Steve Pence, in their efforts to
create a comprehensive drug control plan for Kentucky. In fact, in a letter
I sent to the Governor on Aug. 17, I told him that I am prepared to
committhe full resources of the Attorney General's Office to aid inthe
thorough approach envisioned during the drug summit meetings.

However, I also encouraged the Governor to include a dedicated funding
source for the education-prevention, treatment and enforcement initiatives
included in his drug control strategy. The implementation of a long-term
strategy will require stable, long-term funding. I reiterated the
suggestion I made at the conclusion of the Statewide Drug Control
Assessment Summit that the cigarette tax be increased from the current 3
cents per pack to between 6 and 9 cents per pack.

Kentucky's current cigarette tax is among the lowest in the nation and has
not been raised in more than 30 years. Our sister state of Virginia
recently enacted a raise in its tax, which is consistent with the national
trend. I suggest that the new revenue from an increase to 6 cents to 9
cents be appropriated by the General Assembly and divided equally between
education/prevention, treatment and enforcement. This would provide
approximately $14 million to $21 million in funding for each of the
individual entities.

Such an increase would provide a revenue stream that is necessary to truly
make a dent in the Governor's efforts to increase the number of drug
courts, expand drug treatment programs and facilities, and implement more
drug education in the schools.

I believe the Governor's plan to fight the drug scourge in our state is
commendable, and I look forward to working with him, as well as components
of law enforcement throughout Kentucky, and our prosecutorial system, to
develop and integrate a truly effective, well-funded plan of attack.

GREG STUMBO

Attorney General

Commonwealth of Kentucky

Frankfort, Ky. 40601