TM Discussion
On Death Issue

In our society causing someone's death has always been viewed as a serious crime. Our television show favorites include numerous investigation shows, so much so that Crime Scene Investigations now airs three different communities.

So why then do we now want our doctors, who have always given their Hippocratic Oath to serve as healers, to have the right to bring death? We already allow patients in Vermont to choose to deny medical treatment; do we also need to open the Pandora's box ensues if we allow doctors to issue drugs intended to kill?

Call it what you will, but do you really want to place suicidal drugs in the reach of those near death? Is this really death with dignity?

Yes, there are reports from places that allow such practices of botched proceedings—people who took the medications and then lived on. What then? Isn't it painful enough for the family members to expect death once only to have it further prolonged. On Feb. 2, 2005, David Prueitt of Oregon, awoke from a doctor-assisted suicide-induced coma intended to kill him and asked his wife, "Why am I not dead?"

What about the Kate Admonsons of the world? She was completely paralyzed by a stroke and had her feeding tube removed and later reinserted after eight days of starvation. Eventually she recovered and is a national speaker. She heard every single word of the discussions about her fate and suffered in silence. Should family and doctors decide to end life? or should that decision belong to God or nature's course?

In Oregon the truth is that these drugs are utilized more because of a desire for control. "There has been no documented case of untreatable pain," says Dr. Greg Hamilton of Physicians for Compassionate Care.

Did everyone who participated in exit polls a couple of years ago have opportunity to consider these thoughts before they responded? Many think that administering these drugs will allow them to alleviate suffering. Experts in palliative care tell us that there is no need for people to die a miserable death because we can treat the pain.

How much public discussion has there been to truly consider the complexities of this issue? Quick straw polls should not be considered a mandate to our public officials. I hope there will be informed discussions on this matter at our upcoming Town Meetings.

Martha Hafner

Randolph