Posted: 05/02/2010 at 6:40am | IP Logged

Queensland Senate candidate Wendy Francis - People with suicidal thoughts do not need lethal help, but life-saving assistance.

"Peaceful Pill" of Euthanasia Luring Desperate People in Their 20s and Up

Christian Today

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - Advocates of voluntary euthanasia display an appalling disregard for life, according to Queensland's Lead Senate Candidate for Family First.

Wendy Francis was commenting on newly released data from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, showing that the so-called “peaceful pill” promoted by euthanasia advocates is being used by people in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

The Institute's findings reveal that fifty one people in Australia have died from an overdose of the drug Nembutal in the past 10 years. In 27 of the cases there was reportedly no significant illness, deteriorating health or chronic pain.

Mrs Francis says she applauds Associate Professor Nicholas Tonti-Filippini’s call for Philip Nitschke, who has promoted the use of Nembutal for euthanasia or assisted suicide for many years, to be prosecuted for aiding and abetting people taking their own life.

“Nitschke's position can only be seen as an appalling disregard for human life,” Mrs Francis says. “People with suicidal thoughts do not need lethal help, but life-saving assistance.”

She says despite Nitschke's book The Peaceful Pill being banned from sale in Australia - after “long and hard lobbying” by Family First - sadly the “horrible thing” is still accessible online.

Family First has called for more government funding to be directed towards supporting “desperate and vulnerable” Australians who contemplate suicide. And Mrs Francis believes palliative care for the dying is the best way to alleviate pain and provide care in a dignified and respectful manner.

Northern Territory's 1995 The Rights of the Terminally Act lasted only 9 months before being overturned by the Federal Parliament. Today, voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal in all states and territories of Australia.

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Source:  au.ChristianToday.com

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