Assisted Suicide: Strengthen the law against it.

The following letter was written by Ruth Plesner from Victor Montana and published yesterday in the Ravalli Republic newspaper in Montana. I like this letter because it is simple and to the point. 

Ruth's letter follows a great format for writing letters to newspapers. The letter follows.

Assisted Suicide: Strengthen law against it.

I have several concerns about the practice of assisted suicide, which is currently legal in only two states (Washington and Oregon).

1. The potential for elder abuse is very real. Patients in Oregon with a “terminally ill” diagnosis have been refused treatment and steered toward assisted suicide. Patients can be pressured by a relative, who can even administer the dose.
2. A “terminally ill” diagnosis can be wrong. Some patients recover with treatment and may live a long time.
3. Montana already has a high suicide rate and state policy is directed at lowering that rate. Suicide rates have increased in Oregon.

Please tell your legislators to clarify and strengthen our law against assisted suicide.

Ruth Plesner, Victor