Once again, assisted suicide is making headlines.  Four members of an organization, Final Exit Network, were arrested this week in Georgia for providing assistance to a man who wished to end his life.  There’s now a multi-state investigation into this group’s activities.  Eight states are looking into deaths they believe might have been assisted with one or more members from this group.  According to its website, this is a group that dedicates itself to serving those suffering from an intolerable condition. 

At least a few of the members are medical doctors, psychologists and other professionals.  They’re now being charged with assisted suicide, evidence tampering and there are other charges relating to racketeering.   The death they’re charged with providing assistance for was a man in northern Georgia who’d suffered from throat and mouth cancer.  According to his mother, he’d been in pain for awhile and was depressed.  He was still facing other surgeries and at least one more round of chemotherapy.  His 85 year old mother then went on to say she knew he was depressed and that although she was in pain, she respected his decision.

This group has over 3,000 members who pay dues each month.  Those who wish to end their lives are provided an exit guide that reveals information for successfully committing suicide.  They’re then told to obtain two helium tanks.  An “exit bag” - a hood that’s worn over the head is provided and once the date has been established, two members of the group arrive at the person’s home to oversee the event.  They insist they don’t participate, but are there to lend support and to ensure there are no problems. 

The eight states investigators have in their crosshairs are: Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Arizona, Georgia, Montana, Missouri and Colorado.  There’s at least one specific death being investigated in Arizona.  If the four who were arrested this week are found guilty, they could serve up to five years in prison.

A final note:  Betty Celmer, the mother of the man who successfully carried out his suicide and who the four are charged with assisting, said that she didn’t believe the organization should face charges and that it’s her belief they helped her son end his pain.  She said, “If someone helped him, I think that was in God’s hands”.

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