Oregon is the only state I know of with an assisted-suicide law...The Death With Dignity Act (DWDA) was first passed in 1994, reaffirmed by the voters in 1997, challenged by Ashcroft 10 days after 9/11, and finally reaffirmed by a Federal Judge in March 2002. The DWDA has been cleared legally for passage by other states now....but there is still a religious bias against assisting the terminally ill out of this life with dignity.
So far 126 people (through 2002) have used the DWDA to end their lives.
To quality you must be of sound mind, not clinically depressed, and have a terminal (6 months or less to live) diagnosis....and have at least two doctors examine you to certify the above. The only other place you can assist yourself in a mercifully pain-free exit is the Netherlands.
KRL and Kittyfizz....my sympathies to you both. No one should have to suffer like that.
Last edited by LadyLaw at Dec 4 2003, 08:08 PM
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