WARNING CRIMPS LETHAL PRESCRIPTIONS IN OREGON

SALEM, Ore.A week after Oregon voters affirmed the state's law allowing
doctorassisted suicide, some physicians are holding off on writing
prescriptions for lethal drugs for fear of being punished by the federal
government.

Despite what Oregon voters say, the Drug Enforcement Administration is
warning doctors that they risk losing their licenses to write prescriptions
if they help someone commit suicide. "If I were to lose my DEA license, my
practice would close," Dr. Peter Rasmussen, an outspoken supporter of
assisted suicide, said Tuesday.

Oregon approved a law three years ago that permits doctors to dispense
drugs for the purpose of suicide, but legal challenges prevented it from
taking effect. Voters reaffirmed the law last week when a ballot question
seeking the law's repeal was defeated. However, DEA Administrator Thomas
Constantine warned that doctors who take part in assisted suicides would be
violating federal narcotics law and risk losing their licenses to prescribe
drugs.

Physicians are licensed to practice medicine by the states, but it is the
DEA that registers doctors to prescribe drugs. The Justice Department,
which would be responsible for enforcing such a revocation, has yet to
determine if the DEA position is a correct reading of federal law,
department spokesman Gregory King said. The quandary has left Oregon
doctors confused and worried.

"It's a big deal," said James Kronenberg, spokesman for the Oregon Medical
Assn. "We're telling them, 'You may lose your DEA license. They're not
fooling.' " Oregon's senators disagree over what is to be done. Republican
Gordon Smith, who opposes assisted suicide, said he let the White House
know that he agrees with the DEA and that state law must be consistent with
federal law. "It is not unreasonable for the federal government to have
concern about this," he said.

"This is not a small issue, and this is not a practice which will stop at
the borders of Oregon." Democrat Ron Wyden, who also opposes assisted
suicide, said the federal government should nonetheless abide by the will
of Oregon voters. "The people of Oregon voted 'no' on the repeal" of the
law, Wyden said, "and what I'm telling the Clinton administration and the
congressional leadership is: 'What part of "no" do you folks not
understand?' "