RESOLUTION NO. 951493
In support of the Jackson County Drug Tax COMBAT and the
benefit it is to our community.
WHEREAS, in 1989, the citizens of Jackson County
approved a quarter-cent sales tax, COMBAT, to support a local and intensified
war on drugs. Jackson County was the first jurisdiction in the U.S. to levy a
tax with the proceeds singularly directed toward combating the scrounge of
illicit drugs and drug-related crime. Nearly $15 million is generated per year
and approximately 66% of these funds are dedicated to law enforcement and 33%
of these funds are allocated to prevention and treatment; and
WHEREAS, law enforcement benefit is shown by:
Violent crime is down 32% in the last 30 months; 51 new police officers have
generated over 300% increase in drug arrests: KCPD - Street Narcotics &
Drug Enforcement Units, EJCDTF (directs enforcement activities in 13
jurisdictions in Eastern Jackson County), and grant match for community
policing; and the addition of 17 assistant prosecuting attorneys has resulted
in over a 3000% increase in drug prosecution, including 1000 drug traffickers
resulting from investigative work by the Eastern Jackson County Drug Task
Force; and
WHEREAS, prevention benefit is shown by: 33
prevention agencies and nearly 100,000 students in 12 school districts,
including alternative schools, participated in drug abuse prevention programs
(including DARE programs); and
WHEREAS, treatment benefit is shown by: 26 agencies
providing in-patient and out-patient substance abuse treatment programs; 700
new admissions of children and adults to treatment per month; 1800 family court
clients have received drug testing and appropriate drug prevention education,
treatment and/or counseling services; and first-time non-violent drug offenders
received court monitored drug treatment, education and job training to turn
them into productive tax-payers, instead of tax-takers; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor and Council hereby proclaim their
support for the Jackson County Drug Tax COMBAT for the many benefits it brings
to our community and the help and support it provides neighborhoods that want
to battle the use of illegal drugs and continue to help overcome the curse of
addiction; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this
resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof
confirming the need for all in our community to continue their support of the
Jackson County Drug Tax COMBAT and the necessity that our community continue
its battle against drugs to protect and provide a secure future for ourselves
and our children.
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