The accompanying articles by James Howard Keltner, a retired law enforcement office give factual data and suggestions for curtailing the illegal drug sales in Columbia and Adair County.

Mr. Keltner restricted this article to the traffic in illegal narcotics. Other reports he is considering would address other aspects of law enforcement .

It would appear from his account that there has been an explosion of drug activity here since 1995, if the arrest figures correlate with drug activity. Mr. Keltner thinks that this is the case, that drug trafficking has increased dramatically in the past two years.

On the other hand, some ask if the arrest figures do not more closely follow the increased priority newly placed by the Columbia Police Department on a problem that has long been with us-a problem which early on drew a timid response, a response which may have only have emboldened drug dealers.

Opinions in the community give rise to questions on this issue and on the effectiveness of the police department in other areas.

What is your opinion?

How do you rate the police on drug enforcement? What do you think ought to be done in the local drug battle?

What do you think of CPD's handling of other threats to peace and safety, including reckless driving, speeding, noise, vandalism, and pedestrian endangerment. What about littering in the city? How effective is the department on that?

What do you think about the annual police budget of $516,000?

How do you rate police response to your own problems?

Are citizens of Columbia getting their moneysworth from the vehicle fleet? From take home vehicles?

What do you think about police leadership? From Chief Taylor? The Mayor? The City Council?

We'd like to know your opinions on these questions and others you might wish to address. .

Contact us at: Columbia!, P.O. Box 906, Columbia, KY 42728.