I-1000 is not a reasonable solution
Letters to the Editor
Laura Ztrzelec
Seattle Times, Sept. 22, 2008
Source
I-1000 is not a reasonable solution for those with terminal illnesses wishing to die. Being suicidal, as Duane French points out from personal experience, can naturally come on the heels of a life-altering diagnosis or illness.
When we find ourselves in a hopeless situation we need counseling, love, and assistance - not a push over the edge.
Unfortunately, the wording of the actual initiative is much less straighforward than the September 21st front page Seattle Times article indicated. It actually allows for a bit of a push. For example, the text of the initiative states only that the patient "may" self-administer the drug. "Self-administration" is defined by the initiative as merely ingesting the drug. By this definition hundreds of newborn babies in China have "self-adminstered" poisoned formula.
This wording creates an opening for coercion to play a role in the end of a life. I-1000 is not the best we can offer a hurting person.
- Laura Strzelec, Everett, WA