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CLEAR Temp: 68 °F Wind: S at 6 mph Sunday, October 13, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 24, 2002 Local cancer victim says feds should leave state law alone By BILL KETTLER Mail Tribune Assisted-suicide advocates said there was "nothing new" in the federal government’s latest move to crush the Oregon law that allows terminally ill people to obtain lethal drugs. "There’s nothing we haven’t seen before," said Barbara Coombs-Lee, president of Compassion in Dying, a Portland-based nonprofit group that provides support for terminally ill patients. "We don’t think this will be persuasive at all in the Ninth Circuit." Coombs-Lee said the Department of Justice’s appeal is the next step in a legal struggle that could drag on for several years, but the appeal in no way restricts Oregon physicians’ ability to prescribe lethal drugs for dying patients, or patients’ freedom to acquire those drugs. A Medford man who has been diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer said he could not understand why Attorney General John Ashcroft wants to nullify Oregon’s assisted-suicide law. "I get upset when I think about it," said Rollis Grove, 69. "Oregonians voted for this twice. I can’t see what his idea is." Grove retired from the Ashland post office in 1988 and had moved to California when he was given six months to live. He returned to Oregon because assisted suicide had become legal, and he contacted Compassion in Dying. He has not obtained a lethal prescription. The law requires two doctors to certify that a patient has fewer than six months to live in order to receive a lethal prescription. "My doctor calls me his miracle," he said. Grove’s improved prognosis, however, hasn’t dimmed his support for the law. "Someday I might still need it," he said, "and I’d like to see it in place." Grove is one of five Rogue Valley residents who are currently discussing end-of-life issues with Compassion in Dying, said George Eighmey, the group’s executive director. The other four requested anonymity. Eighmey said Compassion in Dying has provided assistance to 30 people in Southern Oregon since assisted suicide became legal in October 1997. Fourteen were Medford residents; seven lived in Grants Pass; four in Ashland; and the others resided in smaller communities. Of those 30 clients, only 10 died after taking lethal medication prescribed in compliance with the Oregon law. Ten died of their underlying illness prior to completing the assisted-suicide process, or after completing the process but without taking the medication. Four died after they voluntarily stopped eating and drinking. One person was sedated to prevent pain and died shortly thereafter (an outcome known as "terminal sedation"). Five are still alive, Eighmey said. He noted his group’s statistics do not include people who might have used the law, but who did not contact Compassion in Dying for information or guidance. The group represented approximately 80 percent of the 91 people who have hastened death with prescribed lethal drugs. Coombs-Lee said the legal battle over assisted suicide could ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court. The court could refuse to hear any appeal, which would effectively let stand the ruling of the federal district court. Reach reporter Bill Kettler at 776-4492, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S