Euthanasia

[Max Lichtenstein]

In this issue of Talk of the Town I thought I would go beyond student concerns and campus controversies. I thought I would jump on the political bandwagon, without getting political. This month I am tabling the idea around Euthanasia and more appropriately the End of Life Choice Act 2019. Parliament has already passed the Act but it will only become legislation if more than 50% of voters in the referendum vote ‘Yes’ – enter your only responsibility. All you have to do on September 19 is to VOTE! Up or down, left or right, yes or no – it doesn’t matter as long as you tick the box! You do have to make sure that you are informed so that you can make the best possible judgement based on the facts and your worldview — enter my job here today!

So, what is ‘assisted dying’ exactly? In the Act it is defined as:

- A person’s doctor or nurse giving them medication to relieve their suffering by bringing on death; or

- The taking of medication by the person to relieve their suffering by bringing on death.

FYI ‘medication’ refers to a lethal dose of the medication used for assisted dying. ‘Bringing on death’ sounds scary and not something that everyone may want or need. Correct, hence why the Act also outlines a strict eligibility criterion. Balancing actual needs with realistic requirements would be challenging especially each individual would have a unique case. The criterion provides for equitable eligibility. To be able to ask for assisted dying the person must:

- Be aged 18 years or over - Be a citizen or permanent resident of Aotearoa New Zealand

- Suffer from a terminal illness that’s likely to end their life within 6 months

- Have significant and ongoing decline physical capability

- Experience unbearable suffering that cannot be eased

- Be able to make an informed decision about assisted dying.

The Act is clear that a person would not be eligible for assisted dying if the only reason they give is that they are suffering from a mental disorder or mental illness, or have a disability of any kind, or of advanced age. Furthermore, there is a process around who would be considered able to make an informed decision about assisted dying. Doctors and health practitioners also have a responsibility to ensure the choice is freely made and that the person is not forced into it.

In the voting booth, you will be asked: Do you support the End of Life Choice Act 2019 coming into force? You can choose one of these two answers:

- Yes, I support the End of Life Choice Act 2019 coming into force.

- No, I do not support the End of Life Choice Act 2019 coming into force.

Here are some of the facts presented in an impartial manner and I’ll close with a simple checklist to follow to ensure your vote counts!

1. Stay informed. Get more information at referendums.govt.nz

2. Be enrolled to vote/check your details at vote.nz/enrol

3. VOTE on Election Day