Pubdate: 26 Oct 1997 Source: Bellingham Herald Address: 1155 N. State, Bellingham WA 98225 Contact: Opinion Page, Our View Note: The Bellingham Herald officially supported a needle exchange program Note: recently, as well. Approve I685 Election: Voters should seize chance to enact sensible policies to help addicts, terminally ill. People who suffer from debilitating diseases should be able to legally obtain any drug that has been proven effective in treating their condition. And people who are convicted for possessing drugs should be given the opportunity to be treated for their addiction before they are locked up. Voters should seize the chance to approve those reasonable and longoverdue changes in state law by voting "yes" on Initiative 685. Critics rightly point out that the measure has flaws. Most laws do especially those that are revolutionary. But those problems which will have to be addressed by state lawmakers if I685 passes are outweighed by the measure's benefits. It's costly and counterproductive to continue to fill our overcorwded jails with people who are virtually certain to resume their illegal drug use when they get out. Channeling them instead into drug treatment and education programs greatly increases the odds that they will overcome their habit and related problems it causes for them and society. It would also save taxpayers a lot of money. The average cost of incarcerating a drug user for a year in state jails is $25,000 compared to the $15,000 cost of treating that same person in an intensive inpatient facility or the $3,000 cost in an outpatient program. Unfortunately, most lawmakers lack the political gumption to pass any legislation that might be construed as "soft on drugs." As a result, measures like I685 seldom get off the drawing board. The bottom line is that I685 may be the only opportunity Washington voters will ever have to lay a legal foundation for a more sensible system for handling drug users and meeting the medical needs of some of the state's most vulnerable patients. Its defeat is sure to tar any subsequent measures with the fatal political blow "the people have spoken." Given the misconceptions flying about, it's important to spell out what I685 will and won't do. I685 would allow doctors to recommend the use of marijuana, LSD, heroin and dozens of other Schedule I drugs if research proves them effective in treating a "seriously or terminally ill" patient. Two doctors must sign off on the need for the drug. At present, that would probably only open the door to the medicinal use of marijuana, which mounting evidence shows is helpful in treating glaucoma and the terrible side effects of chemotherapy. Proof that other Schedule I drugs are medically beneficial is scant or nonexistent. The measure also would grant probation and the opportunity for treatment to people the first two times they have been convicted of personal possession or use of a controlled substance. A third conviction could result in the person going to jail. Another provision would give judges the discretion to release nonviolent inmates who are serving time for simple possession for Schedule I drugs into courtsupervised drug treatment programs. About 300 people might be affected. One glaring problem with I685 is that it fails to set up a legalized supply system for patients who obtain a prescription for marijuana. While it would be legal to buy the frug, it would still be against the law for people to sell it to them. There also would be no control over the potency of the marijuana. Those contradictions raise a host of potential legal, ethical, moral and health problems. However, there's little doubt that if I685 passes, the Legislature will be forced to move quickly to create a statecontrolled supply and distribution network. A recently completed state study lays out the framework for such a system, using Washington State University as the supplier. Critics also worry that unscrupulous doctors will write prescriptions for people who don't need them. But that happens now with cocaine, morphine and other drugs that are far more addictive than marijuana. Passage of I685 won't make the problem any worse. Lastly, some worry that the term "seriously ill" is so general that it would open the floodgates to the use of Schedule I drugs for everything short of the common cold. In reality, doctors will be extremely cautious about prescribing illegal drugs, since they are liable for the care they provide. The quickest way to lose the malpractice insurance that allows them to stay in business is to get careless and reckless with their prescription pads. Yes, I685 may cause problems, but no worse than our current sad record in battling drugs. The pluses of the measure more than offset any potential drawbacks. Voters should approve it.