Finally, a book on how to do it right!

TTLWHKR

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Well it happened. I know we all talk and joke about it, but a Doctor in Australia finally did it. With a workshop too...

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002...l?oneclick=true

A practical guide to suicide
By Greg Roberts in Townsville
December 2 2002




Dr Philip Nitschke holds up a potentially fatal drug at his
euthanasia workshop yesterday. Photo: Michael Chambers


These are the people deemed by the Australian Medical Association to
be "fragile and vulnerable" who are "about to be exploited" by the
euthanasia campaigner Philip Nitschke.

On a hot sunny morning in Townsville yesterday, they were attending
the kind of workshop that has caused the AMA to try several times
without success to have Dr Nitschke deregistered as a physician.

Twelve people aged between 22 and 65 assembled for one of his
controversial euthanasia workshops.

From a small black suitcase Dr Nitschke extracts one of his
controversial Exit plastic bags, and three brands of potentially
fatal drugs. "Drugs are hard to use unless you know what you are
doing," he tells the group.

For instance, swallowing a "bucketful" of Valium, contrary to
popular belief, will not kill you, while overdosing on some readily
available drugs can lead to an agonising death, he says.


A handbook distributed at the workshop gives details of
four "important" drugs, including dosages considered lethal. Advice
is also given on how to use Exit bags, an Exit tent and a
carbon monoxide "debreather".

The workshops are increasingly popular. More than 20 have been held
across Australia this year; two were held in Cairns on Saturday.

Those who have attended Dr Nitschke's workshops include Perth woman
Lisette Nigot and Bundaberg couple Sydney and Marjorie Croft, who
took their own lives in recent weeks while in relatively good health.

Dr Nitschke conceded yesterday that he is under fire from within his
own ranks over their deaths, with some supporters arguing that the
row is damaging the euthanasia campaign's primary goal - to assist
the terminally ill to end their lives.

Those listening to him yesterday insisted they were neither fragile
nor vulnerable. Most had lost a loved one after a prolonged illness.

Marjorie Laurence, 65, has seen her husband and mother die in ways
she intends to avoid. "I don't want to go through what they went
through. I want to maintain my dignity until such time as I am
ready."

Patricia Jensen, 50, has seen friends die of cancer. "Whatever
happens to me, I want the knowledge to be able to deal with it."

Sherelle Bineham, 34, is a critical care nurse in Townsville
Hospital. She sees terminally ill people all the time who feel
powerless. "They need to be able to have more choices and more
information as to their options."

Sharon Isle, 25, is angry that the mental wellbeing of people
attending workshops is questioned. "The point is that this sort of
thing is heresy to those who believe bodies belong not to people but
to God."

Those attending sign a disclaimer promising that information will
not be used to "assist in the act of suicide, either of myself, or
of any other persons".

This is "pretty silly", Dr Nitschke said, as it is promptly ignored
by many, but he is treading a fine legal line. He knows of three or
four people each week who are taking their own lives.

Dr Nitschke stresses that assisting suicide can attract a life
sentence in jail. He suggests that those ending their lives write a
note absolving others of responsibility.

It is often difficult to know what constitutes assisting suicide, he
said. For instance, you may be breaking the law even by sitting
beside a loved one as they overdose. "The best advice is to do it
and say you didn't."
 

Jon

Administrator
Community Leader
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No!

They Didn't!

Anyway - anyone here of Kevorkian? Didn't he do this already?


Jon
 

40sCutest

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That's precious....

I know it's sick but this might be helpful. How many times have I had a patient who I wished could have "done it right this time"? Maybe some of them will get the message...

I'm just kidding of course. I hope the entire human race lives far into old age and dies of natural causes...

(or do i?)
 
OP
OP
TTLWHKR

TTLWHKR

Forum Deputy Chief
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Originally posted by 40sCutest@Mar 28 2005, 01:33 PM
That's precious....

I know it's sick but this might be helpful. How many times have I had a patient who I wished could have "done it right this time"? Maybe some of them will get the message...

I'm just kidding of course. I hope the entire human race lives far into old age and dies of natural causes...

(or do i?)
I had one guy "attempt" 92 times in seven years. Finally got it right, guess he wasn't getting the pills to alcohol ratio right.?.?..
 
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