A coalition of drug reform groups in Washington state announced on September 13 their plan to put a drug decriminalization measure on the 2022 ballot. While a copy of the ballot measure hasn’t been submitted to the Secretary of State yet, activists assure it is coming. 

Leading the charge for drug decriminalization is Commit to Change Washington, formerly known as Treatment First Washington. They released a statement on who they are and what they plan on doing in their ballot measure. The statement outlines their plan to:

• Stop treating drug use as a crime
• Remove the fear of arrest as a barrier to recovery
• Offer complete, long-term funded plans guided by the lived experiences of those harmed by the failed War on Drugs. 
• Emphasize public health approaches focused on social determinants of health
• Meet the needs of both rural and urban communities in the state.

“Prioritizing treatment over incarceration is one important piece of a new approach, but repairing decades of damage caused by the War on Drugs requires a fundamental shift in paradigm,” the group said. “And a long-term commitment to tailoring prevention and recovery strategies to the specific needs of individuals and communities—whether those needs are for treatment, housing, job training, mental health care, or other chronically under-resourced services.”

Criminalization

Earlier this year, the Washington Supreme Court overturned a previous measure that decriminalized the possession of all drugs. This measure, similar to Oregon’s decriminalization law, was deemed unconstitutional. However, instead of receiving a drug felony charge, individuals will receive a misdemeanor charge. This is a lesser crime and usually ends in fines and probation, not necessarily jail time. 

Commit to Change Washington plans to undo the criminalization of simple drug possession the court created earlier this year. They also want to create a new system to help everyone in the state, not just those who can afford it. Other organizations are looking to decriminalize drugs, including psychedelics. 

In Seattle, where overdose rates remain high, the Overdose Emergency Innovative Recovery (OEIR) group said Seattle should decriminalize all drugs in order to save more people. By decriminalizing drugs, the group argues, more people can seek recovery without the fear of arrest. 

Future

Activists and advocates for drug decriminalization eagerly await Commit to Change Washington’s ballot measure draft. If all goes to plan, signature collecting should begin in February. As more information becomes available, we will update you with the latest.

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