Letter to the Editor

Crazyland capable of death and dignity legislation?

Now is certainly time for all compassionate Arizonians to step up to the plate and lobby local and state lawmakers to pass Death with Dignity legislation. Do not confuse this with assisted suicide or euthanasia because in appropriate legislation a competent, severely ill person judged to have a very short time in which to live will be assisted in obtaining the means for a quick, painless and merciful death to be self-administered before unbearable suffering. This is a blessing for both the person's loved ones, and for the medical establishment.

There are several groups serving the greater Tucson area that are working for Death with Dignity (including the national group of the same name, as well as Compassion and Choices, Final Exit and so forth). These groups have been successful enacting laws in New Mexico, Montana, Vermont, Washington and Oregon. All these groups have websites with more information is available. But without the power of the people here in Arizona we face a legislature that has not proven itself to be humanistic & progressive. So people, let your voices be heard & contact your reps by phone, email, etc. Let your life be in your hands. That is true freedom.

—Freyda Zell