Initiative 1000 gets the clear…

Should a doctor be able to prescribe a lethal dose of drugs to a dying patient?

In Washington’s Initiative 1000, (titled ‘Death with Dignity), that question was posed upon Washington voters. Despite it’s tricky social inclinations, voters answered by a “margin of 59% to 41%, making it legal for doctors to prescribe a lethal dose of medication for patients with less than six months to live.”

However, as legal as it now may be there are many steps that must be taken before any prescribing can take place. Two seperate requests must be made by the patient, one orally and another in writing. These requests must be made more than two weeks apart and the patient must be “of sound mind and not suffering from depression.”

In addition to multiple requests, the patient must be approved by two seperate doctors.

Washington State has now joined the ranks with Oregon, being the only states with similar ‘physician-assisted suicide’ laws.

Do you agree with this initiative? Should the voters be smacked? Will this have any affect on our lives as teens?