Who qualifies:
* An adult, 18 years of age or older
* A resident of Oregon - able to make and communicate health care decisions
* Diagnosed with a terminal illness that will lead to death within six
months
The people who have used the Oregon law since 1997:
* 292 people - 157 men , 135 women
* 97% white, 2% Asian
* 46% married, 22% widowed, 25% divorced
* 41% university degree or higher
* 81% cancer, 8% amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
* 87% feared losing autonomy and being less able to engage in activities
making life enjoyable
* 80% feared loss of dignity
* 57% feared loss of bodily functions
* 38% feared being a burden on family, friends and caregivers
* 26% feared inadequate pain control or concern about it
* 94% died at home, one person awakened after taking medication
* Five minutes between ingestion and unconsciousness (median time), 25
minutes between ingestion and death (median time)
To obtain a prescription for lethal medication:
* The patient must make two verbal requests to his or her physician,
separated by at least 15 days
* The patient must give a written request to her doctor, signed in the
presence of two witnesses
* The prescribing physician and one consulting physician must confirm the
diagnosis, prognosis and if the patient is competent
* If either physicians believes the patient has a psychiatric or
psychological disorder, the patient is referred for a psychological
examination by law
The drugs:
* 47% take Secobarbital
* 52% take Pentobarbital
Source: Oregon Department of Human Services
