Supporters of assisted suicide in the US state of Washington are gearing up for a campaign for legalisation, culminating in a referendum in November. The campaign is led by a 71-year-old former governor, Booth Gardner, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease and is a passionate supporter of "death with dignity". The proposed legislation mirrors the law in neighboring Oregon. Even the first step in what is sure to be a controversial campaign was controversial. Opponents protested when Initiative 1000 was officially described as a movement to allow terminally ill patients "to request and self-administer lethal medication" rather than as "physician-assisted suicide". However the lawyer for Initiative 1000, Jessica Skelton, successfully contended that the word "suicide" is "politicized language" that "implies a value judgment and carries with it a social stigma."

A 1991 initiative for assisted suicide in Washington failed, but supporters feel that they have a better chance this time. They have until July 3 to collect the 224,880 signatures needed to place their measure on the ballot. It is believed that they have already raised about US$400,0000. Of this, US$200,000 has come from the Oregon Death With Dignity PAC, euthanasia opponent Wesley J. Smith revealed on his blog Secondhand Smoke. ~ Olymmpian, Feb 9; Seattle Times, Mar 2