Oregon is the only state in the U.S. where physician-assisted suicide is now legal.But a controversy has arisen over a new video which is slated to be broadcast on public access cable tv in that state.
The video, based on the book, "Final Exit" (endorsed by the Hemlock Society in the U.K.), is a virtual how-to manual on how to commit suicide.In careful , graphic detail it explains what types of pills(and how many) to use to concoct a lethal "pudding" and what types of alcoholic beverages to ingest with pills, etc to achieve the desired lethal effect.
Since a video shown on cable tv may reach a wider audience---including children and teens-- than a book, and since a video is far more graphic, even some pro assisted-suicide groups have labelled the program "reckless" and are saying that it should not be shown.

Is this sort of program dangerous?Can it influence teens, or people who are going through a temporary depression, to take drastic action?Should we be teaching people how to kill themselves on tv?

What do you think?

I only have one thing to say about your post Chelseabelle if someone is really serious about comitting suicide there not going to need instructions. I don't agree with putting that program on the air but again if they want to commit suicide they will find a way without any help.

I agree, gillyharold--where there's a will there's a way.If someone is determined to commit suicide they don't need this video.
But there is something about showing how to mix various lethal concoctions in a very ordinary matter-of-fact way--sort of like a cooking program--that is rather unsettling.Also these are the sorts of methods that women tend to use when they attempt suicide---and woman succeed less often than men, who tend to use more violent means.A how-to video like this would insure that women could succeed more often since they would know just which pills and how many to take, exactly how much of an alcoholic beverage to add to that,etc.
There was a lot of controversy about the book "Final Exit" when it came out in the U.S. The video just takes it one more step.

I recall reading somewhere that one of the reasons that men and women use different methods for suicide attempts is that, while for women a suicide attempt is often more a cry for help than an actual attempt to die, when men decide to attempt suicide they usually do intend for the act to kill them.

Fay - I have also read that men and women use different methods - I understand that women tend not to use violent methods whereas men do, a woman is more likely to overdose, men to hang themselves.

It sounds as if that video should be banned.

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From over the pond....

[This message has been edited by sue943 (edited 02-07-2000).]

Women are definitely more likely not to use violent means of suicide paricularly in the U.S. One theory is that women are less likely to want to disfigure themselves.Women will use a bloody method--like slashing their wrists--but a man is more likely to slash his throat (definitely more lethal).In the U.S. women are most likely to overdose on pills, or poison themselves, but men are more likely to shoot themselves (or jump out of windows, in front of trains, or hang themselves).

The video was shown on tv in Oregon.It apparently also showed how to kill yourself with over-the-counter drugs if you can't get prescription drugs.The video will probably be marketed now.
I think this is reckless and
irresponsible.
I think that it is particularly dangerous for teenagers who can go into a temporary depression and feel like the world is coming to an end.It could prompt someone like that to take an impulsive action.
This is not really something that we want to help people be able to do better.

The real bottom line here is: did showing the "how to" suicide video improve ratings for PBS? They will sometimes try anything to improve ratings, and donations. An impressive voice-over by a famous narrator will call the program "an important public service."

"60 Minutes" ran a suicide piece last year. I think that the poor guy had end-stage ALS or some slow, incurable disease and some "helpful" person ended his life. Was it Kevorkian? Can't remember.

At any rate, suicide assistance is a topic for thoughtful adults to consider in the proper setting, not on national TV and definitely NOT with teenagers, some of whom will try anything, once.

fjohn--The program was shown on public access cable tv not on PBS.
The narrator of the video was Derrick Humphreys who wrote the book, "Final Exit".
Although Oregon's assisted-suicide law was the imputus that allowed the video to be put on, the tape showed anyone how to easily commit suicide--or murder--painlessly and easily.

Yup, it was Dr.Kevokian who "murdered" that man on 60 minutes.That's the reason Dr. K. is sitting in a jail cell right now.
I don't think that 60 Minutes should have aired that one--I felt it was chilling and sickening.I felt like I was watching a murder and not a "mercy killing". I think Kevorkian got what he deserved.
But that's a whole other topic.....

[This message has been edited by chelseabelle (edited 02-09-2000).]

Which is the one group of terminally ill people who rarely asked for assistance to suicide?? Mothers of young children.

Mothers of young children tend to put up with suffering and pain because to them every extra day they can be with their children is something to be cherished.

I think if people want to commit suicide when they are ill its because they are made to feel a burden, or unneeded, or useless.

totally agree zozo, excellent point.

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"you flicker and you're beautiful, you glow inside my head." -robert smith

if I attempt suicide, I just don't want to fail at it. so if theres a video that even I can't screw it up I'd get it.

I shudder at the thought of this information being available to teenagers who might accidentally turn a cry for help into an actual suicide.
Depression can be treated in most cases, but not if someone is dead.
It make me sick to think that there's someone getting rich off of this too.

I think a video like that should be restricted, maybe not go as far as banned. It could be a video only available at a hospital (such as that Oregon hospital), when and where there is not much chance of "recovery". It should go along the same lines of the physician-assisted suicide. If it gets to that point, and the person would rather do it themselves, then a doctor could "prescribe" the video, and let things go from there.

I see little point in dragging up a thread which is almost seven years old in CURRENT EVENTS. We do not know if the information in teh original post is still valid.