The War on Drugs is failing. We have wasted billions of tax dollars, imprisoned thousands of people whose only crime is addiction and given politicians control over medical decisions which should be made between doctors and patients. Meanwhile, drug use among kids has doubled. Initiative 685 replaces the politicians and rhetoric with doctors and treatment centers. For nonviolent drug users convicted only for simple possession, the measure prescribes treatment, probation, and community service instead of prison time on the first two offenses.
Treatment costs much less than prison and has a better chance of curing the disease of addiction.
However, Initiative 685 maintains stiff penalties for drug dealers and toughens penalties for violent drug offenders. Instead of wasting money on imprisoning drug users, a Parent's Commission on Drug Prevention will be funded to promote parental involvement in drug education. This new approach will replace scare tactics with facts and direct participation by parents. Initiative 685 will not legalize any drug. It will medicalize drugs such as marijuana, allowing doctors to relieve the suffering of seriously and terminally ill patients.