US Suicide rates are now highest among the elderly.

US Suicide rates are now highest among the elderly.

by Administrator
Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Suicide is always a tragedy but a little known fact is that the highest US suicide rate is among the elderly. But this was not always the case.

When examining the suicide data published by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) the highest suicide rate in America was historically among the 45 to 54 age group, but since 2019 the 85 years and older age group has the highest suicide rate and in 2020 the 75 – 84 age group had the second highest suicide rate.

The US suicide rate was increasing on a yearly basis but it has gone down since 2018.
… Read More “US Suicide rates are now highest among the elderly.”
Euthanasia by Advanced Directive – A recipe for abuse.

Euthanasia by Advanced Directive – A recipe for abuse.

by Administrator
Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Dr Catherine Ferrier who is a Montreal physician who specializes in gerontology wrote an excellent article that was published in the Montreal Gazette titled: Advance Directives for assisted death a recipe for abuse.

Ferrier begins her article by outlining the challenges faced for people with dementia:

In my work in geriatric medicine, I have cared for thousands of people with dementia and their families. The challenge they face is not only the disease, but the stigma and neglect. The constantly fuelled perception that their life is undignified.

Ferrier then refers to advanced directives for Medical Aid in Dying (euthanasia), that is permitted by Québec’s Bill 38 which is being debated.

… Read More “Euthanasia by Advanced Directive – A recipe for abuse.”
Euthanasia is a runaway train in Canada. It’s time to hit the brakes.

Euthanasia is a runaway train in Canada. It’s time to hit the brakes.

by Administrator

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Brian Bird

Brian Bird, who is an assistant professor at the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of B.C. wrote a Special article that was published by the National Post on May 4, 2022. Bird explains why the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (AMAD), that is currently holding hearings on further expanding Canada’s euthanasia (MAiD), should instead stop any further expansions of the law. Bird writes:

By next year, Canada may have journeyed — in only seven years — from a total prohibition on euthanasia to euthanasia at an adult’s deathbed to euthanasia for mental and physical illness at any moment of an adult’s life.

… Read More “Euthanasia is a runaway train in Canada. It’s time to hit the brakes.”
Japanese dystopian euthanasia film “Plan 75”

Japanese dystopian euthanasia film “Plan 75”

by Administrator
Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Jurgen Hecker wrote a film review of the Japanese dystopian euthanasia film “Plan 75” that was published by Japan Today on May 22. “Plan 75” reportedly shook audiences to the core at the Cannes film festival.

“Plan 75” responds to the aging demographic of Japan with a dystopian vision of a government program that would encourage people to die by euthanasia at the age of 75. Hecker wrote:

In the movie, anybody over 75 is encouraged to sign up for a deal with the government by which they receive a sum of money in return for agreeing to be euthanised.

… Read More “Japanese dystopian euthanasia film “Plan 75””
Assisted suicide must not be confused with palliative care.

Assisted suicide must not be confused with palliative care.

by Administrator
Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Dr. Ebru Kaya is an associate professor of medicine and the president of the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians (CSPCP) and Dr. Leonie Herx is division chair and associate professor of palliative medicine at Queen’s University and a past president of the CSPCP wrote an opinion article that was published by the Globe and Mail on May 9, titled: Assisted dying must not be confused with palliative care.

The context for the article is the government committee that is examining the expansion of MAID to children (mature minors) and incompetent people who requested death in their advanced directive.

… Read More “Assisted suicide must not be confused with palliative care.”
Care for People with Cognitive Impairment: Don’t Euthanize Them

Care for People with Cognitive Impairment: Don’t Euthanize Them

by Administrator

By Dr Paul Saba is co-founder of Physicians for Social Justice and is the author of a book entitled “Made to Live.” 

The proposed Bill 38 being debated in the Québec National Assembly is dangerous. Cognitively impaired people will be allowed to decide by advanced directives the ending of their lives via lethal injection by euthanasia. This should not happen. Quebec parliamentarians must vote no to Bill 38. (Link to Bill 38).

Henriette is a woman in her 70s who has been experiencing slow cognitive decline and has been my patient.

Her daughter is a busy real estate agent who until recently was able to help care for her mother who lived downstairs in a duplex they shared.

… Read More “Care for People with Cognitive Impairment: Don’t Euthanize Them”
Dr Ramona Coelho: Offering euthanasia to a suicidal person leads to premature deaths.

Dr Ramona Coelho: Offering euthanasia to a suicidal person leads to premature deaths.

by Administrator

By Michalina Ratajczak
Assistant to the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Executive Director

Dr Coelho’s presentation to the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (Link). (Facebook Link).

On May 13th, 2022, the Canadian government’s expert panel on MAiD and Mental Illness released its final report, which recommended no added legislative safeguards to Bill C-7 for those living with mental illness. Dr. Ramona Coelho (blog link), who recently presented at a meeting of the federal Special Joint Committee examining the provisions of the Criminal Code relating to medical assistance in dying, noted that the expert panel’s report:

“…is more dangerous than I could have anticipated.

… Read More “Dr Ramona Coelho: Offering euthanasia to a suicidal person leads to premature deaths.”
Euthanasia, where and when does it stop?

Euthanasia, where and when does it stop?

by Administrator

By Nic Steenhout, Disability rights advocate and the former Director of Vivre dans la Dignité

Nic Steenhout

It is with great sadness and a fair bit of distress that I learned about two recent cases of so-called “Medical Aid In Dying” (euthanasia by any other name). The stories of two disabled women who were pushed to apply for MAID because their circumstances didn’t allow them the choice of living would be distressing for most of us.

… Read More “Euthanasia, where and when does it stop?”
Suicide contagion

Suicide contagion

by Administrator
This article was published by First Things on May 19, 2022.

Wesley Smith examines three studies examining the possible co-relation between legalizing assisted suicide and rising suicide rates.
Wesley J Smith

By Wesley Smith

I have often argued that, as a matter of logic and intuition, the widespread legalization of assisted suicide will increase both the rate of assisted suicides and the rate of unassisted suicides. After all, many people conflate what is “legal” with what is “right.” Once a state gives its imprimatur to assisted suicide as a way of alleviating suffering and providing “medical aid in dying,” as it is euphemistically called, an ever-increasing number of people will resort to that means of ending their lives.

… Read More “Suicide contagion”
Euthanasia (MAiD) is out of control in Canada.

Euthanasia (MAiD) is out of control in Canada.

by Administrator

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

In April I wrote about the euthanasia death of a 51-year-old Ontario woman who had chemical sensitivities. The story was reported by CTV National News Medical Correspondent, Avis Favaro who reported that the woman was not terminally ill but living with chronic chemical sensitivities and environmental allergies. Favaro reported:

She died after a frantic effort by friends, supporters and even her doctors to get her safe and affordable housing in Toronto. She also left behind letters showing a desperate two-year search for help, in which she begs local, provincial and federal officials for assistance in finding a home away from the smoke and chemicals wafting through her apartment.

… Read More “Euthanasia (MAiD) is out of control in Canada.”
Why euthanasia for children “mature minors” is wrong.

Why euthanasia for children “mature minors” is wrong.

by Administrator
Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
Dr Ramona Coelho

Dr Ramona Coehlo, a family physician in London Ontario and the Hon Graydon Nicholas,

a member of the Wolastoqiyik Nation and a former Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick wrote an insightful opinion article that was published in the Ottawa Citizen on May 11, 2022 on the issue of euthansia for children.

They begin by explaining that the government’s Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), is currently meeting and, among other issues, is considering MAiD for children. Briefs can be submitted to the committee until May 30.
… Read More “Why euthanasia for children “mature minors” is wrong.”
Assisted suicide is a cancer that is destroying authentic palliative care.

Assisted suicide is a cancer that is destroying authentic palliative care.

by Administrator

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Terry O’Neill wrote an excellent article that was published by the BC Catholic on May 12 titled: Assisted suicide is a cancer that is destroying authentic palliative care.

Authentic palliative and hospice care does not hasten death.

O’Neill quotes key people including: Palliative-care expert Dr. Neil Hilliard from Abbotsford BC, Dr. Ebru Kaya, president of the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians, Dr. Leonie Herx, the immediate past president of the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians and myself.

Hilliard, who is a past medical director of palliative care in the Fraser Health BC region stepped back from his role after the BC government demanded that all palliative care facilities (non religiously affiliated) must provide euthanasia.

… Read More “Assisted suicide is a cancer that is destroying authentic palliative care.”
Vermont legalizes assisted suicide by Zoom

Vermont legalizes assisted suicide by Zoom

by Administrator
This article was published by National Review online on April 28, 2022.

By Wesley Smith


Remember when we were told that assisted suicide would only be engaged in as part of an intimate and long-term physician/patient relationship?

Of course, the laws never required that. And now, Vermont has legalized assisted suicide by Zoom or Skype. The new law also eliminates the previous requirement that the doctor have examined the patient. In other words, the poison-prescribing doctor would seem to never have to actually meet the patient in person. From the recently passed and signed S 74:

(a) A physician shall not be subject to any civil or criminal liability or professional disciplinary action if the physician prescribes to a patient with a terminal condition medication to be self-administered for the purpose of hastening the patient’s death and the physician affirms by documenting in the patient’s medical record that all of the following occurred:

(1) The patient made an oral request to the physician in the physician’s physical presence or by telemedicine, if the physician determines the use of telemedicine to be clinically appropriate, for medication to be self-administered for the purpose of hastening the patient’s death.

… Read More “Vermont legalizes assisted suicide by Zoom”
Protect Children’s Lives from euthanasia.

Protect Children’s Lives from euthanasia.

by Administrator

We have great news for you and we know you will want to be part of it.

For some time, pressure to legalize child euthanasia has been gaining strength. In 2014 Belgium was the first country to legalize child euthanasia. In the Netherlands the government launched a discussion about child euthanasia. We took action and we have begun to see favourable results for protecting the fundamental right to life of our children.

… Read More “Protect Children’s Lives from euthanasia.”
Connecticut assisted suicide bill is defeated again.

Connecticut assisted suicide bill is defeated again.

by Administrator
Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
Cathy Ludlum, Second Thoughts Connecticut

I have great news.

Connecticut assisted suicide bill SB 88 was defeated again. This represents the 10th assisted suicide bill to be defeated in Connecticut.

But the battle in Connecticut may return next year.

In March, SB 88 passed in the Connecticut Public Health Committee. The assisted suicide lobby tried to prevent the bill from going to the Judiciary Committee since this committee defeated previous assisted suicide bills.

The Judiciary Committee once again defeated the bill.

There are many groups and individuals who, year after year, have worked to defeat assisted suicide bills in Connecticut.

… Read More “Connecticut assisted suicide bill is defeated again.”
Family learned of the euthanasia death of a loved one after she died.

Family learned of the euthanasia death of a loved one after she died.

by Administrator
Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

CBC radio program – White Coat, Black Art featured a story of a family who learned of the euthanasia death of a family member, after she died. They never had a chance to say goodbye.

Dr Brian Goldman, the host of the CBC radio program reports:

Cynthia’s voice wavered as she recalled how she found out about Cheryl’s (Cheryl was Cynthia’s sister) death.

“I was teaching piano on Zoom and the phone rang,” she said.

“My husband took the phone, talked to my dad and came into the room and said, ‘You have to mute.’

… Read More “Family learned of the euthanasia death of a loved one after she died.”
Assisted suicide lobby admits that assisted suicide for anorexia violates the law.

Assisted suicide lobby admits that assisted suicide for anorexia violates the law.

by Administrator
Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

In January I wrote an article about assisted suicide for anorexia nervosa. In the article I quoted from a case report published by the ACAMAID, an organization of assisted suicide practitioners who approved assisted suicide for anorexia nervosa by defining the condition as being “terminal.” 

An article by Jennifer Brown that was published in the Colorado Sun on March 14 reports on Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani, an internal medicine doctor who specializes in eating disorders and who published a paper on her experience with prescribing assisted suicide for three people with anorexia nervosa. Gaudiani approves assisted suicide for Anorexia Nervosa by falsely defining the condition as terminal.

… Read More “Assisted suicide lobby admits that assisted suicide for anorexia violates the law.”
‘Healthy’ American Sisters Die at Swiss Suicide Clinic

‘Healthy’ American Sisters Die at Swiss Suicide Clinic

by Administrator

This article was published by National Review online on March 23, 2022

By Wesley Smith


Article: Swiss suicide clinic provides death for $11,000 (Link).

Repeat after me: Assisted-suicide legalization eventually leads to death on demand.

Oh, you doubt me? That is already the law in Germany thanks to a court ruling creating a constitutional right to a “self determined death,” with help from anyone, at any time, and for any reason.

Now a suicide clinic in Switzerland has committed a joint assisted suicide of apparently healthy sisters from Arizona who flew there secretly to be made dead. From The Independent story:

Sisters Lila Ammouri and Susan Frazier who died by assisted suicide in Switzerland had been healthy and happy prior to their death, their brother says.

… Read More “‘Healthy’ American Sisters Die at Swiss Suicide Clinic”
Profound social change with euthanasia for mental illness.

Profound social change with euthanasia for mental illness.

by Administrator

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Dr Ramona Coehlo

An article by Dr Sonu Gaind, Dr Ramona Coehlo, Dr John Maher and Professor Trudo Lemmens challenging Canada’s federal government policy to extend euthanasia to people for mental illness alone was published today by Policy Options titled: Missing the mark on a profound social change with MAiD for mental illness.

Gaind, Coehlo, Maher and Lemmens challenge the false statements by Jocelyn Downie, one of the world’s leading “academic” pro-euthanasia (MAiD) activist and Mona Gupta, a psychiatrist who has been promoting euthanasia for mental illness alone. Downie and Gupta recently published a response to the Québec Commission report on MAiD, a report that decided not to approve euthanasia for people with mental illness alone.

… Read More “Profound social change with euthanasia for mental illness.”
The Liberal Humanist case against assisted suicide.

The Liberal Humanist case against assisted suicide.

by Administrator

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Kevin Yuill

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition has been fortunate to have had Kevin Yuill present at several of our conferences. He recently spoke at an event in Italy. His most recent article: The Liberal Humanist case against assisted suicide was published by Spiked on March 25. Yuill is a professor of American studies at the University of Sunderland (UK).

Yuill begins his article by quoting Baroness Meacher who recently introduced an assisted suicide measure in the House of Lords (UK) that was thankfully defeated. Yuill begins his article by examining Meacher’s statement with helping a friend arrange an assisted death in Switzerland:

‘I was motivated purely by compassion.

… Read More “The Liberal Humanist case against assisted suicide.”
Why an atheist opposes the legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia?

Why an atheist opposes the legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia?

by Administrator

The following speech was delivered by Kevin Yuill at a press conference in Rome opposing euthanasia and assisted suicide that was co-sponsored by the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition.

Kevin Yuill is the author of the book – Assisted Suicide: The Liberal, Humanist Case Against Legalisation.

I must apologise for the academic take on this but I find that the more I research and think about this subject, the more disturbing it gets.

… Read More “Why an atheist opposes the legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia?”
Five Years Experience with (MAiD) euthanasia in Canada – A skeptics point of view.

Five Years Experience with (MAiD) euthanasia in Canada – A skeptics point of view.

by Administrator
Tom Koch

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

An excellent research article was written by Tom Koch and published on February 12, 2022 titled: A Sceptics Report: Canada’s Five Years Experience with Medical Termination (MAiD). 

Koch, who is an ethicist and long-time researcher on issues related to end of life care, examines Canada’s experience with euthanasia in comparison to other jurisdictions that have legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Koch thoroughly examines the history that led to the legalization of euthanasia (MAiD) in Canada and compares Canada to other jurisdictions, such as the Netherlands.

With reference to Canada Koch writes:

The Canadian experience since 2016 has evidenced a similar pattern of expansion.

… Read More “Five Years Experience with (MAiD) euthanasia in Canada – A skeptics point of view.”
Great News: Washington State assisted suicide expansion bill died a natural death.

Great News: Washington State assisted suicide expansion bill died a natural death.

by Administrator

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

I have great news. Washington State’s assisted suicide expansion bill (HB 1141) has died a natural death. 

I congratulate everyone who spoke out against the bill and lobbied to defeat the bill.

HB 1141 was introduced in January 2021 and passed in the state House on February 25, 2021. It was referred to the Senate where it was stopped. 

HB 1141 was re-introduced in January 2022 and passed in the state House on January 12, 2022 and referred to the Senate. On February 18 it had a Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care.

… Read More “Great News: Washington State assisted suicide expansion bill died a natural death.”
Assisted suicide: It’s not that simple

Assisted suicide: It’s not that simple

by Administrator
Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

The Hartford Current published an excellent article written by disability rights lawyer, Lisa Blumberg, titled: Medically assisted suicide: It’s not that simple. In the article Blumberg explains why she opposes Connecticut assisted suicide Senate Bill 88.

Blumberg first explains how the assisted suicide drugs work.

First, there is no magic pill for a gentle death. No assisted suicide law gives doctor guidance on what a drug prescription to end life should contain. In Oregon, it has sometimes taken people up to 72 hours to die. With doctors free to devise a cocktail involving multiple drugs and desiring to keep cost down, side effects like burned mouths or seizures can occur.

… Read More “Assisted suicide: It’s not that simple”
Ontario euthanasia deaths incease by more than 30% in 2021.

Ontario euthanasia deaths incease by more than 30% in 2021.

by Administrator

“Approximately 10,000 Canadian assisted deaths in 2021 and approximately 31,000 Canadian assisted deaths since legalized”

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

The Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario released the 2021 MAiD data which indicates that there were 3102 assisted deaths up from 2378 in 2020 representing more than a 30% increase.

The Ontario December 2021 data showed a significant increase with 298 reported euthanasia deaths as compared to 188 reported euthanasia deaths in December 2020.

A further analysis indicates that the growth in killing by lethal injection is  actually worse. According to the data, in the first half of 2021 there were 1363 assisted deaths, up from 1127 in the first half of 2020 or a 21% increase, but in the second half of 2021 there were 1739 assisted deaths up from 1251 in the second half of 2020 which is a 39% increase.
… Read More “Ontario euthanasia deaths incease by more than 30% in 2021.”