FEDERAL SHAME

Assisted Suicide Action Will Lead Us Down A Path Of More Turmoil And Pain

The decision by Attorney General John Ashcroft to undercut Oregon's
physician-assisted suicide law leaves us torn between emotions of anger,
sadness and suspicion.

Ashcroft reversed previous policy on Tuesday when he told the Drug
Enforcement Administration that use of federally controlled drugs in
assisted suicides is not a "legitimate medical use." That means any doctors
who prescribe the drugs for that use - as was allowed until Tuesday - could
face suspension or revocation of their licenses to prescribe drugs.

The state of Oregon has rightly announced plans to fight the ruling in
court, but the federal action constitutes a step backward in efforts to
treat pain effectively and to treat terminally ill patients with dignity.

We are angered by Ashcroft's decision because it represents a federal
intrusion into an state decision that was affirmed twice by Oregon's
voters. We are angered because when attempts to legislate the law out of
existence failed, an administrative ax was used - and used by the party
that routinely tells us it wants to lessen the federal government's
influence in our lives.

We are saddened for the terminally ill patients who once again find
themselves told by their government that they must die slow and agonizing
deaths. We are saddened for our nation that this administration has chosen
to insert itself into the business of legislating social values, for it is
a bankrupt business.

We are suspicious about the timing of this announcement. We agree with
Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber, who questions "why John Ashcroft picked this
moment to inject this divisive issue into the public debate ..." We are
suspicious that the current international crisis is being used as a screen
for enacting an unpopular measure. Will opponents of assisted suicide now
caution that we should not criticize the administration in this time of
national turmoil?

There is no evidence - none - that Oregon's law has led to abuses. There is
plenty of evidence that it has helped suffering people. It has not led to
an epidemic of suicides - a total of 70 people have used the process to
peacefully and legally end their suffering since the law was passed.

Tuesday's announcement was a shame - Ashcroft's shame and President Bush's
shame.