Ostrich Warning: Washington Assisted Suicide Initiative
July 3, 2008
Washington Assisted Suicide Initiative Gains Necessary Ballot Signatures
A Washington assisted suicide initiative has likely gained a spot on the fall ballot after supporters submitted about 320,000 voter signatures to state election officials. The Washington Secretary of State must now verify the signatures, which were about 85,000 more than the required minimum of 225,000.
Initiative 1000 mirrors Oregon’s assisted suicide which became effective in 1997 after years in court. If the initiative is approved by Washington voters in November, it would permit doctors to write lethal drug prescriptions for terminally-ill people to end their lives.
Opponents of I-1000 say the law may not provide enough safeguards against abuse and could discriminate against persons with disabilities.
[SOURCE: 7/3/08 - Seattle Times]
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