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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Opinion

Oregon Death Trends: Response

Rebecca Nappi

The Coalition Against Assisted Suicide sent out an analysis of the latest Oregon Death with Dignity numbers. (See post above.) They said there are some “alarming trends.”

Here’s what they found:

Not one patient was referred for psychological evaluation - highlighting that mental health evaluation isn’t required in Oregon or Washington.

Some patients were given lethal prescriptions even though they had known the doctor less than one week.

At least one patient lived for a year and a half after receiving a prescription, even though only those with six months or less to live are permitted be given the lethal drugs, according to Oregon law.