Disclaimer: Although I can't fully disagree with terminally ill people choosing to check out early , I am not advocating for Euthanasia or Physician Assisted Suicide. The purpose of this blog entry and similar entries is to encourage discussion between family members and physicians.
I think the interesting about assisted suicide in the states that allow PAS (physician assisted suicide) is people aren't rushing to take the drug when receiving the prescription. Perhaps knowing they have a way out tomorrow if things get too bad allows them to enjoy today. It may give them peace and hope as strange at that seems. It may also give them more time with family and friends.
Realistically traveling to Zurich when you're terminally ill means you have to be well enough to make the trip so many are forced to go earlier than necessary. People in Oregon can stay at home to die in the comfort of their own home.
In 1994 Oregon became the first US State to pass the Death with Dignity act. If you're wondering the impact of Oregon's Death with Dignity Act....
From the act's passage through 2011, a total of 935 people have had prescriptions written and 596 patients have died from ingesting medications prescribed under the act. The average age of the 596 patients who died from ingesting medication was 71, with 80.9 percent of patients suffering from malignant neoplasms (cancer). Of the 596, 51.7% were male (48.3% female); 44.7% had a Baccalaureate degree or higher; 45.7% were married; primary end of life concerns were loss of autonomy (90.9%), inability to make life enjoyable (88.3%), and loss of dignity (82.7%). (Source Wikipedia)
Considering there is over 3,890,000 residents of Oregon, 596 is not Alot since it became legal. Not quite the slippery slope we all hear about.
What's also remarkable 339 of those prescribed the barbiturates did not take them and passed away on their own. Perhaps knowing they could go made them appreciate each moment they had left?
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