Controversial Legalization of Euthanasia
Next year, Canada is expected to legalise euthanasia for drug addicts, a move that activists have compared to “eugenics.”
Legislative Changes and Public Debate
A March 2024 change in the nation’s legislation pertaining to medically assisted dying (MAID) will grant access to assisted suicide for mental health patients, including those grappling with substance abuse problems, who do not present any physical maladies.
Due to Canadian political party disagreements, a special parliamentary committee will review the measure before its implementation in the following months.
Over 10,000 Canadians died from euthanasia in 2021, tenfold more than in 2016. Certain instances have involved destitute individuals who desired to end their lives.
The Application Procedure for Assisted Death
In Canada, the application procedure for an assisted death begins with the online submission of a form.
“Don’t miss out! Grab your free shares of Webull UK today!”
The applicant must answer the questions and sign at the bottom. Subsequently, they must obtain the witness signatures. A residential visit and a phone call from a physician will follow.
After two doctors approve the application, the applicant must wait 90 days before a doctor can provide the deadly medicine intravenously.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
Individuals who are physically healthy and suffer from mental maladies only, including personality disorders and depression, are not eligible for assisted suicide at this time.
A framework for assessing individuals with substance use disorders for MAID is currently under discussion at the Canada-hosted annual scientific conference.
The workshop’s agenda encompasses the instruction of both participants and medical professionals on the distinction between suicidality and a rational desire to die.
Dr. David Martell, physician lead for Addictions Medicine at Nova Scotia Health, will present the framework at the conference. He told VICE News, “Neither the government nor I believe it is fair to exclude people from eligibility on the basis that their medical disorder or suffering is associated with a mental illness.”
Furthermore, it is inequitable to disqualify individuals from eligibility solely on the basis that their mental disorder may be entirely or partially a substance use disorder. It concerns the equitable treatment of individuals.
According to Dr. Martell, suicidality could be evident in individuals with chronic psychiatric conditions or in the aftermath of an abrupt crisis.
The definition of a person with a reasoned wish to die is “someone who can reason reasoned through wanting [their] suffering to end in a calm and measured manner.”
He added that individuals may exhibit symptoms of both, which complicates evaluation. Furthermore, he stated that it would be “virtually impossible” to distinguish whether the individual was under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
Currently, individuals qualify for MAID if they have a “grievous and irremediable medical condition” that has caused an irreversible decline, such as a severe illness or disability.
Individuals seeking MAID must pass two evaluations administered by independent healthcare providers.
Zo Dodd, an advocate for harm reduction based in Toronto, stated to VICE News that the practice is equivalent to eugenics.
She stated, “I simply believe that MAID’s entry into the field of mental health and substance abuse is rooted in eugenics.
Furthermore, there are individuals who are truly grappling with substance use disorders, yet they fail to receive the necessary support and assistance.
Calls for Improved Support and Funding
Additionally, drug users and proponents of harm reduction expressed their views to VICE News regarding public health measures employed to treat opioid use disorder, including enhanced availability of overdose prevention centers and medications such as methadone.
In addition, they suggested that a more regulated drug supply, lodging, and employment opportunities would be beneficial.
Dr. Martell, who has served as an MAID provider since 2016, concurred that there is insufficient funding for substance use disorder treatment options.
He stated that none of his patients with substance use disorders have expressed a desire for assisted suicide and told VICE, “The notion that we could promote or coerce individuals into doing so does not make any sense to me.”
