KEEP JAILING DEALERS AND TREATING ADDICTS

Over the last 14 years, Jackson County's anti-drug tax has financed good
programs that put dealers behind bars, treated addicts and discouraged
young people from using dangerous illegal drugs.

Today the Jackson County Legislature ought to place a seven-year renewal on
the Aug. 5 ballot. Proponents then should show voters that wise plans exist
to spend anti-drug tax revenue.

The quarter-cent Community Backed Anti-Drug Tax (COMBAT) generates $18
million a year for three priorities: law enforcement, prevention and treatment.

After a rough start in its first few years, the COMBAT program has used its
money more effectively, especially in law enforcement.

Authorities have shut down almost 2,000 drug houses, found tens of millions
of dollars in illegal drugs and almost quadrupled drug-case filings in
county courts.

Prosecutors have worked with neighborhood leaders and community police
officers to fight drug-connected crimes in parts of Kansas City,
Independence and other cities.

Independent reviews of the anti-drug tax in recent years have supported its
sensible focus on treatment and prevention.

Jackson County Drug Court has placed nonviolent offenders in programs that
can help get them off drugs. A large majority who go through rehabilitation
programs have not been convicted of other drug-related crimes five years later.

The tax also pays for most of the programs that educate thousands of
schoolchildren each year about illegal drugs.

Many people take part in other treatment and prevention programs as well.
However, the independent reviews have challenged COMBAT to more clearly
demonstrate how effective these programs actually are.

That should be a top goal for the upcoming campaign. During a tight
economy, COMBAT's supporters must provide voters with compelling reasons to
renew the anti-drug tax.