Peace In a Pill Report (Report No. 1)

Transcription

1 Peace In a Pill Report (Report No. 1) Dr Philip Nitschke Dr Fiona Stewart Dr Wendy Gunthorpe Contact Exit International PO Box Darwin NT 0821 Australia Ph Fax Mobile philip@exitinternational.net Date: 8 November 2004

2 Study Rationale This study was undertaken to test the validity of the research direction of the notfor-profit organization Exit International. Unlike other Voluntary Euthanasia organizations whose focus is law reform, Exit focuses exclusively upon the creation and development of DIY end-of-life options for its members. Study Methodology A paper questionnaire was mailed to 2657 Exit members in A total of 1163 questionnaires were returned, resulting in a response rate of 44%. Fortyseven percent (47%) of the sample were male with 53% female. The median age was 72 years. Respondents included retired engineers, secretaries, lawyers (and judges), doctors and dentists, chemists, nurses, labourers, housewives, clergy, clerical and trades and social/ community workers. The majority (85%) reported their health as good or fair while 11% reported their health as poor and a further 3% stated a terminal illness. Six respondents (1%) did not report their health status. Data were analysed using SPSS statistical software. With the exception of the open-ended question at the end of the survey instrument, all questions yielded valid response rates of greater than 95%. Results This report presents a selection of key findings. 2

3 1. Preferred Means of Self-deliverance Respondents were asked their preferred methods of self-deliverance, if all were available. The aim of this questions was to ascertain broad levels of support for the development of a Peaceful Pill (suicide pill). The majority (89%) of respondents stated that they would prefer a Peaceful Pill over all other means. The next most preferred method was the Carbon Monoxide Generator or CoGenie with 4%, followed by traditional prescription drugs (3%). Less than 1% preferred the Plastic Bag or Slow Euthanasia (terminal sedation) (3% of respondents gave two or more options). 3

4 On the Need for a Peaceful Pill Thank you for continuing to explore this important Pill. There are times when I feel unwell and I panic. I haven t gone to a workshop, I haven t stored drugs to end my life as I am so well that I don t think about it. But HOW RELIEVED I d be if you had such a Pill. My disease is such that when it gets into my internal organs I will live three months only. For now, it is only on my skin, tumours have been radiated from my right upper buttock. So it s the real thing. I m going to try and live to the end, but I won t cop agony or leave such a memory on my daughters who are now 17 and 10. I believe in the right to choose, as my bumper sticker says. Thank you for being there. Your being there really helps me sleep at night. You are like a lifeline thrown to me on a dark night as I flounder in the endless sea. God bless you. I hope I won t need your help for another 10+ years, but keep going. Daryl - 41 years Diagnosis: Mycosis Fungoides (Tasmania) 2. Perceived Benefits of a Peaceful Pill Respondents were asked to nominate what they considered to be the main benefits of a Peaceful Pill. The aim of this questions was to investigate further why a Peaceful Pill is so desired. 4

5 The main perceived benefits of a Peaceful Pill were: Independence (reported by 91% of respondents), peace of mind (reported by 90% of respondents), reliability (reported by 88% of respondents), ease of administration (a pill is easy to take) (reported by 87% of respondents) and dignity (reported by 85% of respondents). Peace of Mind I have no relatives or younger friends who would be able to look after me or carry out my last wishes. I fear becoming an invalid, unable to care for myself. I would only use the Peaceful Pill if and when my life would become unbearable. Having the Pill now would give me peace of mind and I would actually enjoy life more. At present I am always worried. Duncan - 80 years Librarian (retired) Carlton, Victoria 3. Concerns about a Peaceful Pill In addition to being asked about perceived benefits, respondents were also asked to name any possible concerns they would have about a Peaceful Pill. This was asked in order for both positive and negative aspects of the Pill to be known. 5

6 The most common concern among respondents about the Peaceful Pill was that the Pill could fail them. This was reported by 72% of respondents. That the Pill could fall into the wrong hands was reported by 44% of respondents, and that the Pill may be too expensive was reported by 36%. Attitudes/ Concerns I certainly don t think the Peaceful Pill should be handed out willy-nilly, but should be available to those of us with nothing to look forward to but suffering. This is simply being human. I am a practicing Christian and since my God brought me into this world as a human being and one capable of making choices I do not believe it is His will to take me out as a vegetable. The choice is mine as always, and I hope to go with spirit and soul intact not with a spirit that is broken and cringing. Roll on Peaceful Pill! Terri - 72 years Housewife Palm Beach, Queensland 4. Distribution of the Peaceful Pill Respondents were asked where they thought the Peaceful Pill should be available. The aim of this question was to obtain opinions about the suitability of several different suppliers and further examine the feasibility of Exit members being able to make the Pill themselves. 6

7 The overwhelming majority of respondents (84%) stated that they thought the Peaceful Pill should be available directly from Exit. (Presumably unaware of the precarious legal situation regarding assisted suicide). About 33% supported the Pill being available on prescription from a GP, while 28% favoured the Pill being available without a prescription from a pharmacist. Around 7% thought the Pill should only be available if a person was able to make it themselves. Less than 1% supported the Pill being available from the supermarket. Dignity in Dying After nursing both parents until their deaths and watching their slow, painful passing I feel strongly that there should be a pill available to those who feel very strongly about being kept alive with no quality of life When I am no longer independent because of my severe arthritis or some other reason, I feel satisfied that I have a plastic bag from Canada. However a Pill would be so much more suitable. Jill - 72 years Secretary and RAAF Officer (retired) Hawthorn, Victoria 5. Willingness to Pay The cost of the Peaceful Pill was considered a key issue since the Pill s development has been and continues to be an expensive undertaking. This question was asked to gauge respondents preparedness to pay for the comfort and peace of mind that comes from knowing one has control over one s end-oflife decision-making. 7

8 Half of all respondents reported that they would be prepared to pay between $100 and $1000 for the Peaceful Pill. Slightly more than one quarter said that they would pay up to $100 while 22% stated that they would be willing to pay more than $1000 for the Peaceful Pill. 6. Who Should Have Access to the Peaceful Pill A final question asked in this survey addressed perceptions of whom should have access to the Peaceful Pill. Should access to the Pill be restricted to Exit members ONLY or should any rational adult have access. This question was asked to provide answers to questions like these. The majority of those surveyed (65%) stated very strong support for the development of the Peaceful Pill for any rational adult who wants it. A further 23% expressed some support while 6% stated a little support. Around 3% were opposed to the Peaceful Pill being available to any rational adult. A further 3% did not answer the question. 8

9 Peace of Mind My quality of life is still good but it would give me great peace of mind to know that I could end it should the situation change and with something that would be peaceful (eg. Peaceful Pill) and less traumatic for my family and friends than the means now available (plastic bag). I also consider that it is my right to do so without interference from church or state. Realising this will take time, money and a lot of work. One day we may live in more enlightened times and reason will prevail. Betty - 72 years Business proprietor (retired) Churchlands, Western Australia Conclusion This research study represents the first survey of its kind about perceptions of end-of-life options involving a large, cross-sectional sample of well elderly people living in the community. The findings of this research provide overwhelming support for Exit s Peaceful Pill project. The findings confirm and support wide-spread anecdotal evidence that the majority of well elderly people prefer an end-of-life option which does not require outside assistance, is available to any rational adult, and is both reliable and easy to take. In light of these findings, Exit s Research and Development program will accelerate. There was a high degree of consensus among this large sample of well elderly people that a Peaceful Pill would provide them with independence and peace of mind. Despite such evidence, however, the legal ramifications of developing a Peaceful Pill are significant, and consequently, Exit International must heed warning from these findings. The organisation must continue to educate members about the legal risk associated with helping someone make or acquire a Peaceful Pill. Specifically, members must fully understand why they must make a Peaceful Pill for and by themselves, and why loved ones and others close cannot and should not be relied upon for assistance. - ENDS- 9