Why Washington Needs the SAFE Act

Why Washington Needs the SAFE Act

(~1,300 words)

(Above) Washington State Capital Building.

Introduction: A Crisis We Can No Longer Ignore

Across Washington, addiction is silently and steadily reshaping lives. The stories are everywhere — in hospitals, in families, in classrooms, in workplaces, and in the quiet corners of communities where people struggle alone. Addiction is not an issue affecting “other people.” It is affecting us, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our state as a whole.

In 2023, Washington lost thousands to addiction-related causes, including:

• 3,477 deaths from opioid overdoses

• 243 deaths from drunk driving

• Over 8,700 deaths from smoking-related cancer

These numbers are staggering, but they’re only part of the story. For every individual who dies, countless more are hurt: children, parents, siblings, partners, friends, and caretakers. Addiction leaves empty seats at dinner tables, strains relationships, fuels homelessness, harms mental health, and overburdens our public services.

And yet, despite the scale of the crisis, our state’s tools for prevention remain shockingly limited.

This is where the SAFE Act comes in — not as a punishment, but as a new form of empowerment.

The SAFE Act: A New Tool for a Growing Problem

At its core, the SAFE Act introduces a simple idea with enormous potential impact: Let people choose to restrict their own access to addictive substances.

Similar to Washington’s existing gambling self-exclusion program, the SAFE Act would give individuals the power to:

• Voluntarily enroll in a confidential self-exclusion list

• Restrict their ability to purchase intoxicating substances (like alcohol or nicotine)

• Set a duration that works for their needs

• Use external safeguards to stay aligned with their long-term goals

Rather than forcing restrictions on anyone, the SAFE Act offers a tool for people who want help avoiding relapse, breaking habits, or preventing addiction before it starts.

This is not about taking away freedom — it is about giving people more control over their own lives.

Why Willpower Alone Isn’t Enough

Many people assume addiction is simply a matter of personal choice. But anyone who has battled addiction — or watched someone they love battle it — knows that it’s far more complicated.

Today, individuals are constantly surrounded by:

• Aggressive advertising for alcohol, vaping products, and flavored nicotine

• Stores and gas stations filled with displays of addictive substances

• Peer pressure, especially among young adults

• Stress, trauma, and mental health struggles that increase vulnerability

• Industries designed to keep customers coming back

Even for those committed to sobriety, temptation isn’t an occasional bump — it’s a daily obstacle course.

And when someone is tired, overwhelmed, lonely, or triggered, willpower can lose its strength. That doesn’t make someone weak. It makes them human.

The SAFE Act gives people a safety net for those difficult moments — a shield they chose for themselves.

Real Stories: Why Self-Exclusion Matters

Imagine three Washingtonians:

1. A Father Trying to Stay Sober

He’s been sober for six months. He loves his children and wants to stay healthy for them. But every payday, temptation hits hard. One wrong decision could undo months of progress.

With self-exclusion, he can make a commitment that protects him during high-risk moments.

2. A Young Woman Who Wants to Quit Vaping

She started vaping at 16. Now she’s 23, and she’s tried everything to quit. But nicotine is everywhere — in ads, gas stations, convenience stores. She slips, not because she wants to, but because it’s so easily accessible.

Self-exclusion would give her a structured, supportive barrier.

3. A Recovering Alcoholic Coming Out of Treatment

Treatment programs are often short compared to the lifelong journey of recovery. The highest risk of relapse is within the first year.

Self-exclusion allows individuals to leave treatment with a safety measure already in place — a physical reinforcement of their long-term goals.

These aren’t hypothetical scenarios — versions of these stories exist across Washington every single day.

Why Washington Specifically Needs This Now

Washington is facing a perfect storm:

💠 Rising substance use among teens and young adults

Nicotine use — especially vaping — continues to climb in youth populations, and early exposure increases addiction risk.

🛑 Increasing fentanyl deaths

Fentanyl contamination makes early-stage addiction far deadlier than in past decades.

🛑 Alcohol remains widely advertised, cheap, and accessible

It is everywhere — from grocery stores to gas stations to nearly every social event.

🛑 Treatment alone is not enough

Relapse is common — not because treatment failed, but because addiction is chronic and complex.

🛑 Washington’s prevention tools are outdated

We lack proactive strategies that put power in the hands of individuals who want help before they lose control.

The SAFE Act offers Washington a way to fill this gap, combining compassion, science, and practicality.

Evidence That Self-Exclusion Works

Self-exclusion programs have been studied around the world for gambling addiction, with strong results:

• Participants report higher accountability

• Relapse rates decrease

• People feel more supported and less alone

• Family relationships improve

• Long-term outcomes strengthen

Washington already uses self-exclusion successfully in gambling.

Extending this model to substances like alcohol and nicotine is a natural next step.

This Is Not a “One Size Fits All” Solution — And That’s a Strength

One of the most powerful aspects of the SAFE Act is its flexibility.

• You choose whether to enroll.

• You choose how long it lasts.

• You choose whether to renew it.

• You choose what you want to restrict.

No one is forced. No one is coerced. No one is punished.

The SAFE Act is about meeting people where they are — and giving them tools that match their goals.

Myth-Busting: What the SAFE Act Isn’t

“It takes away freedom.”

No — it protects freedom by empowering personal choice.

“It’s the government controlling people.”

No — the individual controls every part of the process.

“People will find ways around it.”

Some may try, but many won’t. Even a partial barrier saves lives.

“This only helps people with severe addiction.”

Self-exclusion also prevents addiction before it escalates — especially among teens and young adults.

A Path to a Safer, Healthier Washington

The SAFE Act won’t solve addiction alone — no policy can. But it offers something rare and powerful: A prevention tool that respects personal choice. A safety net for people in recovery. A barrier against relapse. A protection for young people before habits take root. A message that Washington cares about compassion, not punishment.

Addiction thrives in silence, shame, and lack of options. The SAFE Act creates a pathway toward agency, dignity, and support.

Conclusion: The Time for Change Is Now

Washington is at a crossroads. We can continue on the current path — watching addiction rise, families struggle, and lives cut short — or we can try something new.

The SAFE Act is built on a simple truth:

When people are given tools that match their courage, their recovery becomes stronger.

It’s time to give our communities, families, and future generations a safer Washington — one where people don’t have to fight addiction alone.