12.03.2021 – Oregon sees marked increase in assisted suicides in 2020

12.03.2021 – Oregon sees marked increase in assisted suicides in 2020

There has been another marked increase in the number of deaths from assisted suicide in the US state of Oregon. In 2020, deaths increased by 28% over the previous year, according to the latest figures issued by the Oregon Health Authority. In 2020, 245 people ended their lives in the state through assisted suicide, compared with 191 in 2019.

Over 65s accounted for 81% of all assisted suicides and a total of 142 physicians were responsible for administering the lethal drugs. 79% of these doctors wrote one or two prescriptions. One doctor wrote 31 of the prescriptions to end the lives of his/her patients.

The report also lists the very disturbing finding that 53.1% of those who ended their lives gave being a “burden on family, friends, caregivers” as a reason for their decision. Findings like these are largely being swept under the carpet by the media and other commentators. Thankfully, however, these issues featured very prominently in last weekend’s very successful webinar hosted by Hope Ireland.