KC COUNCIL GIVES SUPPORT TO RENEWAL OF ANTI-DRUG TAX

Jackson County officials sought and received the support of the Kansas City
Council on Thursday for the renewal of the county's anti-drug tax.

Voters will be asked to renew the Community-Backed Anti-Drug Tax, or
COMBAT, on the Aug. 5 ballot. Voters first approved the tax in 1989 and
renewed it in 1995. COMBAT raises $15 million to $18 million annually for
law enforcement, drug treatment and drug prevention.

"You'd have to be crazy to not endorse this tax," Jackson County Prosecutor
Michael Sanders said during the presentation.

The response from the council was favorable.

Councilman Terry Riley said graduates of COMBAT's drug court moved him to
support the tax. Drug court allows nonviolent offenders to avoid jail by
undergoing drug treatment.

"It motivated me to say I will do whatever I have to do so this will pass,"
Riley said. "It changes the lives of people. I'm on board."

COMBAT supporters asked the council for a resolution supporting the tax's
renewal. Supporters have received similar resolutions from Buckner,
Independence, Sugar Creek, Oak Grove, Grandview, Raytown, Grain Valley and
Blue Springs.

Sanders said COMBAT also was seeking a resolution from Lee's Summit.