Assisted suicide
Assisted suicide is when somebody who wants to commit suicide (wants to die) is helped to do this by someone else. Normally, people who ask for assisted suicide are very ill and in a lot of pain, so they want someone to help them to die, for example by being given access to drugs which will kill them. Some people prefer the terms aid in dying or death with dignity to describe assisted suicide. The term euthanasia is sometimes used, although euthanasia is generally regarded as different to assisted suicide, as it involves causing a person to die rather than helping them to kill themselves.
The law about this varies a lot in different countries. In Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and in three American states it is legal to help someone to die in these circumstances. However, in many countries it is not allowed, and the person who helps someone to die may be arrested and sent to prison.
Some people who are very ill and want to die may go to these countries, such as Switzerland, in order to end their life.
Assisted Suicide Media
Current status of assisted suicide around the world:* Physician-assisted suicide is legal* Legalized by court ruling, but not legislated or regulated* Physician-assisted suicide is illegal
Secobarbital is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for physician-assisted suicide in the United States.
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Current status of assisted suicide around the world:* Physician-assisted suicide is legal* Legalized by court ruling, but not legislated or regulated* Physician-assisted suicide is illegal
Current status of assisted suicide in Europe:* Physician-assisted suicide is legal* Legalized by court ruling, but not legislated or regulated* Assisted suicide is not legal
