Euthanasia Prevention Coalition of BC

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition opposes the promotion or legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

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OUR BELIEF

Euthanasia is the deliberate killing of someone by action or omission, with or without that person's consent, for what are claimed to be compassionate reasons.

Assisted Suicide is counselling, abetting, or aiding someone to kill himself or herself.

The members of the coalition believe that euthanasia should continue to be treated as murder, irrespective of whether the person killed has consented.

The present law (1998) does not distinguish between euthanasia and other forms of murder. The key consideration is the intention to cause death. Consent or motive - even one of compassion- does not change the reality of killing a human being.

Palliative Care provides comfort and care - physical, emotional and spiritual - for the dying person, when cure is not possible. It includes compassion and support for family and friends.

OUR CONCERNS

· There is a growing tendency to promote premature death as a solution to suffering, pain, aging, social ills, and rising health costs.

· Public sanctioning of euthanasia (as shown in the Netherlands) has led to increasing use of euthanasia without consent, circumvention of the law, and abuse of the vulnerable.

· The public, including the medical profession, need more knowledge and understanding regarding palliative care and effective pain control.

· Advances in pain control and palliative care are threatened when euthanasia and assisted suicide are sanctioned as a means of relieving pain and suffering.

· Depression is the most common factor in requests for assisted suicide. The diagnosis if often difficult, but when recognized responds to treatment.

OUR PURPOSE

· To protect and preserve ethical guidelines and legal prohibitions against euthanasia and assisted suicide.

· To increase public awareness of palliative care as a positive alternative for the relief of suffering.

· To educate the public on the harm and risks associated with the promotion of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

· To promote improvement in the quality and availability of palliative care, and effective control of pain and suffering.

· To conduct, coordinate, and disseminate research on euthanasia related issues.

· To represent the vulnerable and, where appropriate, advocate before the courts on issues of euthanasia and related subjects.

For more information, contact:

The Secretary - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition BC

#126- 103 – 1075 Marine Drive, North Vancouver, BC V7P 3T6

Phone: (604) 794-3772 Fax: (604)794-3960

EMAIL info@epc.bc.ca