On Tuesday, Bisbee became the first city in Arizona to approve a “Death with Dignity” resolution. The city council vote was close: 4-3.

Bisbee Councilwoman Joan Hansen’s proposal doesn’t change the law, but it at least acknowledges the increasing support for “humane and dignified” end-of-life options in the state and around the country. It also asks for Cochise County attorney to use prosecutorial discretion in de-prioritizing cases prosecuting people who have supported, been present or facilitated a loved one’s death in these circumstances.

The movement allows terminally ill adults—who have been diagnosed with an incurable illness likely to cause death within 6 months—to request medication that’ll facilitate ending their life. “The option to fill that prescription, and the option to self-administer the medication at the time and place of that person’s choosing,” a media release from the Bisbee Aid in Dying group says.

The resolution states that the city of Bisbee:

– Respects the diversity of perspectives of its citizens,

– Supports equal protection within the diversity of perspectives on end-of-life decisions,
– Recognizes the practice of Aid in Dying as a legitimate individual liberty,

– And, while not a legally enforceable document, urges prosecutorial discretion by the Cochise County Attorney in de-prioritizing cases involving prosecution of a person who has supported, been present, or facilitated a loved one to advance the time of his or her imminent death when facing intolerable suffering. 

Los Angeles, San Francisco, West Hollywood, and the counties of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Santa Cruz, Alameda in California have passed a similar resolutions in support of California’s End of Life Option Act, the press release says.

A May 2015 Gallup poll says that nearly 70 percent of U.S. residents are in favor of legalized Aid in Dying, which has already gotten the green light in Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Vermont.

This article appears in Aug 27 – Sep 2, 2015.

I was born and raised in Guatemala City, Guatemala. I moved to Tucson about 10 years ago. Since I was old enough to enjoy reading, I developed an interest in writing, and telling stories through different...

18 replies on “Bisbee Becomes First City in Arizona to Approve an ‘Aid in Dying’ Resolution”

  2. It’s about time there was some common sense about death. None of us are going to escape it, why make it more miserable, because of some weird religious beliefs? A person has the right to die on his own terms.

  3. Wow… This conversation just came up recently in my family. Good to know Bisbee is near by for loves ones who may desire this option.

  5. It has been proven in court that convicts on death row were innocent. Doctors misdiagnose many ailments. People have death bed recoveries.

    Is that your final answer…?

  6. While not a legally binding resolution, it pushes the momentum of this important issue in this country. Great!

  7. Dan, you realize you sound a bit uninformed, and that is ok? One does not get a diagnosis and immediately go to the cooler. There is a very detailed vetting process. It should be nearly free for the qualified. This is a good move for medicine, and a greater breakthrough for patient advocacy.

  10. I am glad to hear of this… I know I would never want to put my family through the agony of watching me suffer from a battle I couldn’t win. plus its a cute town to enjoy your last years in.

  11. This isn’t about God, inmates, or deathbed recoveries. It is about a person of sound mind who is diagnosed with an incurable ailment and it suffering to be allowed to choose. People are advocates for unborn children because of their lack of choice so why wouldn’t we support someone who can choose being able to do so.

    It is a great thing to go peacefully, limit suffering, and stop the torture to the individual and the families. We need to let people decide for themselves. It isn’t a pick a date like Dec 12th, 2031 type of thing; it is a “I” am dying, it hurts, I am suffering, my family is suffering, please let me choose to go.

  12. This is wonderful news. Not one naysayer here has been in the position of having a terminal disease to which the end was an indescribable hell.
    Not only do they have to face the fact that their time on earth has an expiration date that is near, but that their final hours will be riddled with other torturous effects like pains so bad that even the strongest of drugs barely take the edge off. Nausea 24/7that no drugs touch. Incessant vomiting and diarrhea that no drugs touch. Seizures,weakness,inability to eat, bath, stand, walk, use the toilet and literally become a prisoner held hostage by your own body.
    Oh yeah, and then disease that is the cause of this hell on earth.
    No one should be forced to suffer and lose every last grain of dignity in the process.
    Thank you, Bisbee. Thank you for showing compassion and understanding. Thank you for giving people the ability to have a voice when their bodies have turned against them, and for allowing them to die with dignity.

  13. Well, Debbie T., if there is an omnipotent god out there with a plan for everyone, what makes you think that aid-in-dying isn’t part of that plan?

  14. Isn’t this considered suicide? A lot of people survive through many horrible diseases and have lived good lives after.

  15. It doesn’t matter what a city or a state passes as long as federal law sees it as unlawful it is a crime under federal law.

  17. About time people began to look realistically at death. 1. No one is getting out alive. 2. Medical care is SO expensive. 3. Some people are spiritual and NOT religious and don’t want to Be a burden (or have no family). Animals get euthanized so they don’t have to suffer and we humans HAVE to because of religion? If someone is depressed and it is treatable then by all means get treated and live but cancer, aids,debilitating diseases like Lou Gehrig’s, MS, etc must suffer in agony. The God I worship wants this for no one..I’m sorry if you’re does.

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