Give credit to Madison County State's Attorney Tom Gibbons for continuing to fight uphill battles.

He just charged three more people with drug-induced homicide, even though these cases can be difficult, sometimes impossible, to prosecute. He believes, and we agree, that it's the right thing to do for the victims and their families.

The cases can be difficult because drug dealers and buyers aren't the most credible or cooperative of witnesses. As Gibbons said, there's not going to be clear-cut or videotaped evidence to present.

What can make the cases impossible is if the drugs were bought in Missouri. A Madison County judge has ruled that Illinois state law doesn't apply if the drugs cross state lines. But our proximity to St. Louis means that's often the case.

There's nothing to be done about people involved in these cases, but Illinois legislators need to fix the law so prosecutions can proceed.

If a killer used a handgun or a knife or a rope bought in Missouri, he could be charged with murder in Illinois. The same should apply when drugs are bought in Missouri.