To end final suffering, author took unnecessary criminal risks
"At death's window” by novelist and essayist Anne Lamott, was published by the L. A. Times on June 25, 2006. Although listed under “Opinion: Op-Ed,” it is really a memoir that records a “friend-assisted suicide.” The timing of publication is revealing: the event occurred about 10 years ago, but this particular Sunday was between two judicial hearings about California’s AB 651—one was on June 20; the other will be on June 27. This proposed bill will, if passed, legalize Physician-Assisted Suicide.
Ms. Lamott took a significant legal risk to obtain and to help administer a lethal dose of medication to another human being. These facts could be weaved into a successful criminal prosecution for violating the Drug Enforcement Agency's Controlled Substances Act of 1970, and for manslaughter, which could lead to imprisonment for years.
One of life’s greatest ironies is that when people know that they can determine when they die, they can and often do decide to live longer. Hopefully, Mel experienced more peace and less worry since he knew he had control over when he could die. Had Mel instead voluntarily refused all food and fluid. In this way, he might have "left his uncomfortable earth shoes" a few days later, but Ms. Lamott would have completely avoided taking any legal risk.
While not well known (particularly ten years ago), Voluntary Refusal of Food & Fluid is a peaceful and legal alternative to Physician-Assisted Suicide.
Ms. Lamott took a significant legal risk to obtain and to help administer a lethal dose of medication to another human being. These facts could be weaved into a successful criminal prosecution for violating the Drug Enforcement Agency's Controlled Substances Act of 1970, and for manslaughter, which could lead to imprisonment for years.
One of life’s greatest ironies is that when people know that they can determine when they die, they can and often do decide to live longer. Hopefully, Mel experienced more peace and less worry since he knew he had control over when he could die. Had Mel instead voluntarily refused all food and fluid. In this way, he might have "left his uncomfortable earth shoes" a few days later, but Ms. Lamott would have completely avoided taking any legal risk.
While not well known (particularly ten years ago), Voluntary Refusal of Food & Fluid is a peaceful and legal alternative to Physician-Assisted Suicide.
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