SAVES is not affiliated with Exit International / Dr Philip Nitschke and opposes the public availability of a 'peaceful pill'.

The March 2006 VE Bulletin discussed the possibility of a further challenge to the Oregon legislation following its upholding in January. On 25th May Oregon Senator Ron Wyden defended his state's law at the first Senate hearing since January. The hearing was called by an opponent of the legislation, Republican Senator Sam Brownback, an aspirant for the presidency, who is concerned that the decision to adopt the law undermines what he calls 'the culture of life'. However he stated that he was unlikely to introduce legislation this year.

Wyden, a Democrat, who also personally opposes assisted suicide and twice voted against it in state ballot argued While I do not know how I would vote if the issue were to appear on the Oregon ballot once more, I believe it is time for me to acknowledge that my fears concerning the poor elderly were, thankfully, never realized. The law has not been abused.' He reiterated his vow to block any attempt to overturn the legislation.

Only 246 terminally ill patients have used the law to end their lives since the measure took effect in 1998 - an average of just 31 per year. According to the Oregon Department of Human Services the total number of deaths under the law reflects a minute portion of the state's average 31,000 annual deaths.

Reference:

'U S Senate looks at assisted suicide law' Matthew Daly, Associated Press, May 26, 2006

On March 9th 2006 the Oregon Dept of Human Services released the Eighth Annual Report on the Death with Dignity Act (DWDA). This revealed that although the number of prescriptions written and/or used varies annually, they remain relatively stable over time. There were no significant differences between 2005 and previous years. In 2005 approximately one in 800 deaths resulted from physician assisted suicide.What has emerged over time is that males and females are equally likely to access the legislation, and that divorced and never married persons were more likely to take advantage of the provisions. A higher level of education is also strongly associated with the use of physician assisted suicide. The ratio of DWDA deaths to all deaths was highest for three conditions: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (269.5 per 10,000), HIV AIDS (218.3) and malignant neoplasms (39.9). During 2005 36 patients died in their own homes and two in residential care. All had health insurance and 92% were enrolled in hospice care.

For further information refer to the website of the Oregon Dept of Human Services www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/pas/