Dr. Death.
Old news I know, but not for me.In a room in Dublin, a man nicknamed "Dr Death" is teaching people how to die. A dozen people are here to plan their suicides.
On a screen, poisonous substances are ranked in order of convenience, availability and painfulness.
Dr Death sits at the front of the room, not facing directly at his audience - almost as if it's too hard to look them in the eye. But they clearly have no inhibitions about being there.
One woman says she has traveled from Singapore for this. The audience is made up mainly of elderly people - many have seen friends and family die in horrific ways.
Their host promises an answer for their desperation. In vivid detail, he describes how their final moments could offer something different. It sounds too good to be true.
Apparently the substance leaves no trace of it in the body after death.
I never knew such a service existed.
Is this a good or bad choice?
Maybe I'm a coward but I strongly believe, while there's life there's hope.
Comments (26)
"If I gave you the drug, I'd be in prison quite quickly, I suspect," he says.
"But if I tell you to go to this place and buy it, that's not considered to be a strong enough link to be in breach of the law.
"We're just telling people how they can get the substance. Assisting would be if I gave you the substance."
Dr Death admits he holds himself responsible for many deaths.
Without wanting to blow this completely out of proportion I really feel for genuine people struggling with debilitating and incurable diseases.
I'm a firm believer that people should at least have a choice as to living and suffering, or dying peacefully.So many people have been charged with "murder" when helping a loved one end their life. We don't or should never allow a pet to suffer so why a human being.?
I understand that it's difficult to change the law as we do need to protect vulnerable people but the old adage " walk a mile in my shoes" springs to mind. We could all do with a bit more empathy in our lives.
I lived in a cold country for a while and whenever winter temperatures dropped dramatically overnight there would inevitably be a few stories of elderly or terminally ill people who tragically were caught out in the cold, sitting too long on a garden (or public) bench and unable to get up, dying of exposure. It was always seen as a mistake they'd made. Personally I think it was often deliberate - hypothermia is apparently a pretty painless way to die and fact remains there are times when people want to die. The deaths rarely got media coverage, for the sake of the families - or perhaps so as not to "promote a suicide culture".
Good or bad choice? At least it is a choice. I don't understand why it is illegal to sell a painless effective suicide kit.Those determined to die will manage it somehow, if they possibly can, anyway.
If they are so incapacitated that they can't, how can it be noble to force them to end their days in utter misery? Starving to death, dying in agony, or imprisoned by one's own crippled body until it can no longer suck in oxygen, how is this the better option? Even now that there are clinics and options in a few places, the legal battle to achieve that dominates the last few weeks the person had left. Wrong, wrong, wrong.
Yes, where there's life there's hope - a new cure, remission, a sudden rush of funds for someone unable to buy even the food to prolong life, or the heat to stave off freezing. But hope is a lot more common than the actual new cure, remission, etc.
I have other opinions. Will post them separately so I can be shot down in bite sizes.
Not being able to buy two types of painkillers at the same time, because a concerned government is afraid you'll take them both at once and die, (which is the case in the UK) is more likely to make people suddenly think about suicide than it being common knowledge there is a specific-to-purpose option out there that most people will never buy.
I'd want to know what Dr Death was saying not because I need it now but just to know what it was in case I ever did.
If I'm ever given terminal news I'm actually more likely to off myself sooner, while I can still control my own fate, than risk leaving it too late because the kindest way out is illegal. That can't be right.
To make it illegal because a few who are temporarily suicidal might chose a painless way rather than cutting their wrists, or hanging themselves, or jumping in front of a train, is missing the point. Focus on saving those who want to die for temporary or reversible reasons rather than removing the option for the relative few who will need it for avoiding an irreversibly awful future.
JMO.
Not being able to buy two types of painkillers at the same time, because a concerned government is afraid you'll take them both at once and die, (which is the case in the UK) is more likely to make people suddenly think about suicide than it being common knowledge there is a specific-to-purpose option out there that most people will never buy.
I'd want to know what Dr Death was saying not because I need it now but just to know what it was in case I ever did.
Just because you can only buy ,say 32 tablets, at one outlet doesn't stop you going to other outlets and stocking up on the same medication.
One thing... I hope you're not on his mailing list !!
Active euthanasia is illegal in Switzerland (administration by a third-party), but supplying the means for dying is legal (assisted suicide), as long as the action which directly causes death is performed by the one wishing to die. Assisted suicide in the country has been legal since 1941, and Switzerland was the first country in the world to permit any kind of assisted dying. In 2014, a total of 752 assisted suicides were performed (330 men, 422 women), compared to 1,029 non-assisted suicides (754 men, 275 women); most of the assisted suicides concerned elderly people suffering from a terminal disease. In what critics have termed suicide tourism, Swiss euthanasia organisations have been widely used by foreigners. As of 2008, German citizens were 60 percent of the total number of suicides assisted by the organisation Dignitas.
Legal situation
The Swiss Criminal Code of 1937 outlaws "incitement or assistance to suicide from selfish motives" (Art. 115). Any active role in voluntary euthanasia ("manslaughter on request") is also outlawed, even if done with "respectable motives" such as mercy killings (Art. 114). However, by omission, assisted suicide from non-selfish motives remains legal. For example, lethal drugs may be prescribed as long as the recipient takes an active role in the drug administration, but active euthanasia (such as the act of administering a lethal injection) is not legal.
All forms of active euthanasia, such as administering lethal injection, remain prohibited in Switzerland. Swiss law only allows providing means to die by suicide and the reasons for doing so must not be based on self-interest (such as monetary gain). Nonprofit organisations administering life-ending medicine were first established in Switzerland in the 1980s.
Article 115 of the Swiss Criminal Code reads:
Inciting and assisting suicide: Any person who for selfish motives incites or assists another to commit or attempt to commit suicide shall, if that other person thereafter commits or attempts to commit suicide, be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty.
Active euthanasia is illegal in Switzerland (administration by a third-party), but supplying the means for dying is legal (assisted suicide), as long as the action which directly causes death is performed by the one wishing to die. Assisted suicide in the country has been legal since 1941, and Switzerland was the first country in the world to permit any kind of assisted dying. In 2014, a total of 752 assisted suicides were performed (330 men, 422 women), compared to 1,029 non-assisted suicides (754 men, 275 women); most of the assisted suicides concerned elderly people suffering from a terminal disease. In what critics have termed suicide tourism, Swiss euthanasia organisations have been widely used by foreigners. As of 2008, German citizens were 60 percent of the total number of suicides assisted by the organisation Dignitas.
Legal situation
The Swiss Criminal Code of 1937 outlaws "incitement or assistance to suicide from selfish motives" (Art. 115). Any active role in voluntary euthanasia ("manslaughter on request") is also outlawed, even if done with "respectable motives" such as mercy killings (Art. 114). However, by omission, assisted suicide from non-selfish motives remains legal. For example, lethal drugs may be prescribed as long as the recipient takes an active role in the drug administration, but active euthanasia (such as the act of administering a lethal injection) is not legal.
All forms of active euthanasia, such as administering lethal injection, remain prohibited in Switzerland. Swiss law only allows providing means to die by suicide and the reasons for doing so must not be based on self-interest (such as monetary gain). Nonprofit organisations administering life-ending medicine were first established in Switzerland in the 1980s.
Article 115 of the Swiss Criminal Code reads:
Inciting and assisting suicide: Any person who for selfish motives incites or assists another to commit or attempt to commit suicide shall, if that other person thereafter commits or attempts to commit suicide, be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty.
British law states anyone who is said to have encouraged or assisted the suicide or attempted suicide of another person can be jailed for up to 14 years.
I can't rightly remember the two boyo's reason as to why but her, she got to me most, opened my eyes for me I guess to see how loneliness, is and can be a silent killer.
Why refer to yourself as a coward, when it's normally worded the other way round?
Anyways Luke, long may you continue to cherish your life
Like GermanS says: "I'm a firm believer that people should at least have a choice as to living and suffering, or dying peacefully."
Or Suzie with "Good or bad choice? At least it is a choice. I don't understand why it is illegal to sell a painless effective suicide kit.Those determined to die will manage it somehow, if they possibly can, anyway."
"If I'm ever given terminal news I'm actually more likely to off myself sooner, while I can still control my own fate, than risk leaving it too late because the kindest way out is illegal. That can't be right."
And yes like some governments that have laws restricting the amount of tablets sold is maybe proof that governments don't like visiting laws that were written a century ago.
Very importantly is the fact that if governments should change their stance on assisted suicide then the severity of the disease would be taken into account like Chat rightly points out, or cults could use this as a loophole to wipe out the whole clan.
I would expect something like Conrad describes from the Swiss: Active euthanasia is illegal in Switzerland (administration by a third-party), but supplying the means for dying is legal (assisted suicide), as long as the action which directly causes death is performed by the one wishing to die. Assisted suicide in the country has been legal since 1941, and Switzerland was the first country in the world to permit any kind of assisted dying.
I totally agree with Grapewine the answer to any terminal suffering should rest on a choice and not entirely on 'hope'.
The story is sad when taking into consideration that the world is overpopulated yet we have individuals like the lady Celtic describes. Compassion and caring is a commodity not easily found these days.
One sure thing is that most of us here agree that CHOICE and not law should be applied.
Assisted suicide is legal in 10 jurisdictions in the US: Washington, D.C. and the states of California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, New Mexico, Maine, New Jersey, Hawaii, and Washington.
The law in South Africa accepts the practice of passive euthanasia which includes the withdrawal or withholding of life sustaining medications where the physician feels that the treatment if continued would be futile. In such case, the doctor is free from criminal liability.
British law states anyone who is said to have encouraged or assisted the suicide or attempted suicide of another person can be jailed for up to 14 years.
Here's just one incident that happened recently . He is now actually free.
Like GermanS says: "I'm a firm believer that people should at least have a choice as to living and suffering, or dying peacefully."
Or Suzie with "Good or bad choice? At least it is a choice. I don't understand why it is illegal to sell a painless effective suicide kit.Those determined to die will manage it somehow, if they possibly can, anyway."
"If I'm ever given terminal news I'm actually more likely to off myself sooner, while I can still control my own fate, than risk leaving it too late because the kindest way out is illegal. That can't be right."
And yes like some governments that have laws restricting the amount of tablets sold is maybe proof that governments don't like visiting laws that were written a century ago.
Very importantly is the fact that if governments should change their stance on assisted suicide then the severity of the disease would be taken into account like Chat rightly points out, or cults could use this as a loophole to wipe out the whole clan.
I would expect something like Conrad describes from the Swiss: Active euthanasia is illegal in Switzerland (administration by a third-party), but supplying the means for dying is legal (assisted suicide), as long as the action which directly causes death is performed by the one wishing to die. Assisted suicide in the country has been legal since 1941, and Switzerland was the first country in the world to permit any kind of assisted dying.
I totally agree with Grapewine the answer to any terminal suffering should rest on a choice and not entirely on 'hope'.
The story is sad when taking into consideration that the world is overpopulated yet we have individuals like the lady Celtic describes. Compassion and caring is a commodity not easily found these days.
One sure thing is that most of us here agree that CHOICE and not law should be applied.
Assisted suicide is legal in 10 jurisdictions in the US: Washington, D.C. and the states of California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, New Mexico, Maine, New Jersey, Hawaii, and Washington.
The law in South Africa accepts the practice of passive euthanasia which includes the withdrawal or withholding of life sustaining medications where the physician feels that the treatment if continued would be futile. In such case, the doctor is free from criminal liability.
Personally speaking these types of videos should never be allowed. Kids of today are gullible and many have issues in their lives that they are not able to deal with ,hence the high rise of suicide in teenagers.
Here's an article that is an eye opener on suicide in today's World.
Personally speaking these types of videos should never be allowed. Kids of today are gullible and many have issues in their lives that they are not able to deal with ,hence the high rise of suicide in teenagers.
Here's an article that is an eye opener on suicide in today's World.
Kids today have access to far more terrible stuff than in the past. And Personally I say the older liberal generation is partly to blame for current suicide thoughts in kids.
Why?
Well if they did not insist in voting in all these liberals that made many laws confusing the already confused kids (teenagers are confused by nature) then part of the problem would never have existed.
Once again
Jmo.
Kids today have access to far more terrible stuff than in the past. And Personally I say the older liberal generation is partly to blame for current suicide thoughts in kids.
Why?
Well if they did not insist in voting in all these liberals that made many laws confusing the already confused kids (teenagers are confused by nature) then part of the problem would never have existed.
Once again
Jmo.
Some teens go through major life changes (parents' divorce, moving, or parental separation, financial changes etc and even s*xual abuse ) and then there are those who are bullied or experience racism, gender issues, and obesity all of whom are at greater risk of suicidal thoughts.
Not everything is about politics.
I'll stand by my statement that most of these problems were created by people choosing the wrong leaders with laws and rules only junkies and criminals love as it favors them rather than law abiding citizens.
"If I gave you the drug, I'd be in prison quite quickly, I suspect," he says.
"But if I tell you to go to this place and buy it, that's not considered to be a strong enough link to be in breach of the law.
"We're just telling people how they can get the substance. Assisting would be if I gave you the substance."
Dr Death admits he holds himself responsible for many deaths.
There could legal precedents out there to dispute this kind of behaviour.
Personally speaking these types of videos should never be allowed. Kids of today are gullible and many have issues in their lives that they are not able to deal with ,hence the high rise of suicide in teenagers.
Here's an article that is an eye opener on suicide in today's World.
Just because you can only buy ,say 32 tablets, at one outlet doesn't stop you going to other outlets and stocking up on the same medication.
How about a 2 pill option - the first will be foul, cause terrible cramps and burning sensations which last about an hour but leave no lasting damage. The second, 24 hours later, will be an hour of agony of note, but see you out. You HAVE to take both within a 24 hour period for the second to work.
For anyone facing months of awful things two hours to peace is definitely preferable.
For the waverers one hour is likely more than enough
I also suggest it is freely available but you have to order it. It takes 3 days to arrive. That's going to sort out the impulsive decisions.
Yes no?
How about a 2 pill option - the first will be foul, cause terrible cramps and burning sensations which last about an hour but leave no lasting damage. The second, 24 hours later, will be an hour of agony of note, but see you out. You HAVE to take both within a 24 hour period for the second to work.
For anyone facing months of awful things two hours to peace is definitely preferable.
For the waverers one hour is likely more than enough
I also suggest it is freely available but you have to order it. It takes 3 days to arrive. That's going to sort out the impulsive decisions.
Yes no?
Thats just me.
Seriously though, it would be a great idea just to have a dose of his brew in my bedside cabinet for 'just in case'.
Like I mentioned on your blog, your mind is way to active.