MAADPS

Archdiocese of Boston Education Campaign: Doctor-Prescribed Suicide is Suicide . . . and suicide is always a tragedy!

stop0240 — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:43:26 +0000

Throughout the month of May the Archdiocese of Boston will be holding educational programs to let people know about the truth behind Doctor-Prescribed Suicide and the so-called “Death with Dignity” Act. Use the link below to download the schedule of … Continue reading →

DPS: DOUBT #26

stop0240 — Tue, 08 May 2012 18:05:42 +0000

In exactly twenty-six weeks from today we have to defeat Doctor-Prescribed Suicide , aka, “Death with Dignity” in Massachusetts. We cannot have “yes” votes or blanks. We must have “no” votes. That gives us an advantage. As long as we can raise a reasonable doubt in the mind of a voter, that person will vote “no”. Every week, we’ll present a reasonable doubt with quick background so that you can talk to people that week.

We are starting with “suicide contagion”. Massachusetts already has a higher death toll from suicide than from auto accidents. Do we want to make that worse? Please read Dr Howland’s letter and TALK to all you know this week.

——

Dear Editor:

Scott Helman’s article on doctor prescribed suicide was a good start to the discussion of this troubling subject. I am a family physician and work every day to help patients at the end of life, but I also see many more who are physically healthy but depressed and tempted to see suicide as an answer to their problems. One of the great dangers of legalizing doctor prescribed suicide is that it may lead others to take their own lives. People like my patient Annie, 18 years old who hung herself, or Brian, a young man who killed himself with his father’s shotgun.

It is well known that suicide is contagious and leads to copycat suicides. Passage of this dangerous proposal would lead to many collateral deaths by suicide of those who are not terminally ill. Since passage of the law in Oregon, suicide rates have increased 52% higher than the national average. In Massachusetts we are fortunate to have one of the lowest suicide rates in the country. As we think about whether or not to legalize suicide for the terminally ill, let’s not forget the many others who will be hurt: the Brians, the Annies, and their families.

Sincerely,

John Howland, M.D.
St. Luke’s Health Center
141 Main Street
Southbridge, MA 01550

What about consent?

stop0240 — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:59:44 +0000

From Mass Against Assisted Suicide:

Washington State’s Annual Report: No Information About Consent

By Margaret Dore

Washington assisted suicide act is similar to the proposed assisted suicide initiative in Massachusetts.[1]

Washington’s act was enacted via a ballot initiative in 2008 and went into effect in 2009.[2] During the election, proponents claimed that its passage would ensure individuals control over their deaths. A glossy brochure declared, “Only the patient — and no one else — may administer the [lethal dose].”[3] The Act, however, does not say this anywhere.

Today, the Washington State Department of Health issued its annual report about Washington’s act.[4] That report, similarly, does not demonstrate that individuals are in control. The report provides no information as to whether the people who died under the act consented and/or acted voluntarily at the time of death. The report instead talks about “ingestion” of the lethal dose. A drug can be “ingested” while a person is asleep, sedated and/or not aware of his or her surroundings.

For more information about Washington’s act, See Margaret Dore, “‘Death with Dignity’: What Do We Advise Our Clients?,” Bar Bulletin, May 2009.[5]

* * *

[1] See RCW 70.245.010 et seq.
[2] Washington’s act was passed by in November 2008 as Initiative 1000 and was now been codified as RCW chapter 70.245.
[3] I-1000 color pamphlet, “Paid for by Yes! on 1000.”
[4] See News Release here and report here.
[5] Further information can be viewed here.