Assisted Dying

A forum was held on "Assisted Dying: Crime or Compassion?" During the second panel, participants discussed whether states have sovereign authority over end-of-life issues, or if the Controlled Substances Act gave the U.S. Attorney General authority over the use of prescription drugs for such uses. They also talked about whether the Constitution protected assisted suicide as an issue of religious freedom and whether a directive by the U.S. Attorney General on assisted suicide threatened states' rights. Members of the panel spoke about the improvements in end of life care by Oregon and gave a broader perspective on the issue. Following their remarks, the panelists responded to questions and comments from members of the audience. On October 5, Gonzales v. Oregon was brought before the United States Supreme Court.