WASHINGTON: BILLIONAIRE BACKS STATE DRUG INITIATIVE

      George Soros, "an investment expert who has given more than
 a billion dollars to promote democracy in Eastern Europe and
 millions to change U.S. drug laws," donated $335,000 Monday to
 support a Washington state initiative that would allow physicians
 to "recommend that patients take illegal drugs for their medical
 problems," Spokane Spokesman-Review reports.  Dr. Rob Killian, a
 Tacoma physician who is heading the Initiative 685 campaign,
 said, "From day one, I've been asking for help from anywhere I
 can get it.  I need money to have a public discussion."  Killian
 reported that Soros' donation will help pay for television
 commercials that are slated to air starting this week.        
      OUT-OF-STATE
      Killian said that "initiative supporters have raised just
 over $1 million ... and nearly all of the money has come from out
 of state."  Spokesman for Concerned Citizens Against Dangerous
 Drugs Mike Suydam said, "The people of the state should be
 outraged that 99% of the funds have come from out-of-state
 billionaires.  They're using Washington state's electoral process
 to change national drug policy."  However, CCADD chairman Ken
 Alhadeff said he "respect[s] and admire[s] that [Soros] cares
 enough to get involved."  He added, "I can only hope the people
 of Washington take the time to study the initiative."
      MARIJUANA TO REPLACE CHICKEN SOUP?
      Last year Soros donated $1 million to support successful
 initiatives to legalize the medical use of marijuana in
 California and Arizona, measures that have drawn strong
 opposition from the Clinton administration (see AHL 12/23/96). 
 In a recent Washington Post op-ed, Soros explained his support
 for the initiatives:  "Criminalizing drug abuse does more harm
 than good, blocking effective treatment and incarcerating far too
 many people."  If Washington state citizens approve Initiative
 685 this year, doctors would be permitted "to recommend that
 patients use a wide range of Schedule I drugs," including
 marijuana, heroin, LSD, peyote and methamphetamine.  The
 initiative would also set up a drug treatment and education fund
 and reduce punishments for possession of drugs (Camden, 10/7).