The Riverstyx Foundation believes in the human potential for healing, growth, and transformation. However, often out of fear of change, as well as distrust in human potential, society tries to control, stigmatize, and even punish those who are struggling outside the norm. Drug users, criminals, and death and dying are labels so politically and morally charged, and even pathologized, that society attacks those ‘problems’, as opposed to recognizing the true needs and sufferings of the person underneath.
Drug Policy + Criminal Justice Reform
Because of current societal fears and stigma regarding recreational drugs and drug users, the U.S. spends over $50 billion a year perpetuating their illegality, primarily to incarcerate addicts, racial minorities, the mentally ill, and economically disadvantaged individuals, as well as running devastating anti-drug campaigns in foreign nations. This repeatedly failed attempt at prohibition results in the creation of dangerous black markets, and precludes treatment, harm-reduction strategies, and sound preventative education. Further, our criminal justice system and “correctional” facilities have become a system of punishment and control, relegating individuals to the periphery of society with few opportunities or resources available for healing, growth, and integration. The Riverstyx Foundation seeks alternatives to the war-on-drugs by supporting efforts that remove drugs from the black market and towards legalization or medicalization, as well as establishing more compassionate and effective methods for reducing the harms associated with drug use. Further, Riverstyx supports a variety of efforts to both reduce the number of non-violent offenders in prison and jail through pre-arrest diversion, mediation, as well as programs that provide opportunities for education and healing while in prison.
End of Life Care
Similarly, the lack of acceptance and fear around death and dying has resulted in massive expenditures of often frivolous and artificial attempts to minimally prolong life at the end. More than half of Medicare dollars are spent on patients who die within two months, costing society over $300 billion annually, often adding stress to families and actually reducing the quality of life for many. This cultural of “death denial” has also prevented society from empowering mentally sound individuals with terminal prognoses to be able to take greater control over their pain and timing of their death. The Riverstyx Foundation aims to support a more balanced approach that encourages avenues to reduce suffering through hospice and palliative care, providing people the opportunity to die with less suffering, and with greater dignity and peace.
501c4 Political Efforts
Ballot Initiatives / Legislative Efforts (RSF Board Member Funding):
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Colorado Natural Medicine Health Act, Initiative 58 (2022)
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Washington State Pathways to Recovery Act HB 1499 (2021)
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Oregon Measure 110, Drug Decriminalization and Addiction Treatment Initiative (2020)
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Michigan Proposal 1, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2018)
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Maine Marijuana Legalization, Question 1 (2016)
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California Proposition 47, Reduced Penalties for Some Crimes Initiative (2014)
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Washington D.C. Marijuana Legalization, Initiative 71 (2014)
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Alaska Marijuana Legalization Measure 2 (2014)
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Oregon Legalized Marijuana Initiative, Measure 91 (2014)
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Uruguay Cannabis Legalization: public health and safety bill (2013)
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Washington State Cannabis Legalization I-502 (2012)
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Washington Death with Dignity Act I-1000 (2008)
Societal Grantees
“It is no measure of health to be well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society" -Krishnamurti