South Australia Voluntary Euthanasia Society Inc

It is not death we fear so much as the manner of our dying

The one thing all forms of life have in common is the certainty of death. It is natural to hope that, when our time comes, we shall die peacefully, certainly without prolonged suffering.

At present this hope is not realised by many people. Because of taboos, prejudice and the legal position in our society, we can be condemned to a long period of suffering and/or total dependence on others as a prelude to our inevitable death.

Voluntary euthanasia societies aim to change this position. They seek legislative changes to enable those suffering severe physical or mental distress with no reasonable hope of relief to have, if they so wish, access to a medically assisted or induced, quick, peaceful death.

Voluntary Euthanasia

It is now recognised as a sound medical practice to withhold or withdraw life sustaining treatment that is medically futile or unduly burdensome. It is also recognised as sound medical practice to provide symptom relief to a terminally ill patient even though this may shorten life. Both practices are legal in South Australia.

The prescription, supply or administration of medication intended to bring about death is at present illegal, no matter how distressing or hopeless that patient's situation may be. SAVES believes the law should be changed so that these practices are no longer illegal in certain circumstances. They should be legally available options to any person who is hopelessly ill with no other prospect of relief from a condition which that person finds intolerable.

Voluntary euthanasia, a quick and peaceful death brought about under medical supervision at the request of and in the interest of a patient in which prescribed safeguards are followed, should be available as an option of last resort. The patient should have that choice.

Legislation

Voluntary euthanasia and/or assisted suicide are at present permitted under differing criteria in the State of Oregon (USA), Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands.

In the Norther Territory four persons were helped to die with dignity under the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act 1995, which was overturned by the Federal parliament in 1997.

The primary aim of SAVES is:

To have the law in South Australia changed so that subject to appropriate safeguards it is legal:

• For a medical practitioner who has received a request from a patient for an assisted death to comply with this request, provided medical assessment indicates that there is no reasonable prospect of remission and no treatment available which is acceptable to the patient.
• For a medical practitioner to carry out the directions of patients previously expressed in properly attested form that, in the event of their becoming unable to give informed consent and medical assessment indicating that there is no reasonable prospect of remission, their life to be brought to a peaceful and dignified end.

How can you help

Become a member of SAVES. Increase the strength of our representations to have the law changed. Visit our website below and print the membership form.

Address	Po Box 2151 Kent Town SA 5071
Tel	08 8379 3421
Website	www.saves.asn.au