X-Message-Number: 7429
Date: Sun, 05 Jan 1997 15:47:28 -0700
From: David Brandt-Erichsen <>
Subject: 2nd euthanasia death in Australia

The following are press releases from Dr. Philip Nitschke in Australia.

January 6th 1997

Media Release

JANET MILLS USES THE ACT

On Thursday morning, January 2nd, Janet Mills became the second person to
use the NT Rights of the Terminally Ill act. She died in the presence of her
husband and son, and her physician, Dr Philip Nitschke.  Her last words
were, 'Peace at last', as she used a computer driven device to
self-administer a lethal dose of drugs. She died at about 9:30 am.  In the
days before she died she prepared a statement which is reproduced below.

Information regarding the obtaining of the necessary third signature which
allowed Janet to die as she wished was withheld from the media to protect
her and her family from unwanted public attention or controversy, in the
difficult days leading up to her death.

Rumours had circulated that the third signature had been obtained, leading
to an article appearing in the Sunday Times in London, which were denied by
Dr. Nitschke. Dr Nitschke has made a statement regarding this matter, which
also appears below.

In her final statement, Janet thanked the media for the sensitive handling
of the press conference, held after 3 weeks of frustrated attempts to obtain
the signature of a cancer specialist confirming the terminal nature of her
illness, and requested that following her death her family's privacy be
respected.


LETTER OF JANET MILLS

1st January 1997, Darwin, NT

I would like to leave this letter to explain some of the things that have
happened to me over the past month.

I knew when I left South Australia that there may be some delay in obtaining
the third signature that I needed to use the euthanasia law, but I had no
idea that it would be such a hard task. It wasn't till after three weeks of
trying that we decided to go public with a press conference, and then one of
the specialists said to Dr Nitschke that they would help me, and I am very
grateful to that doctor for coming forward and allowing me to get my wish.

I hope that anyone else wishing to use this Act does not have to go through
such a long battle to find a doctor to help them. The whole thing was very
hard on me and my family. I am very grateful that my doctor, Philip
Nitschke, didn't give up and worked so hard to try and find someone to help
me. I am also very grateful for the help and care that the palliative care
people in the Northern Territory provided. They always did their best for
me, and accepted what I wanted.

I believe that euthanasia is the greatest thing for people who are sick with
no chance of getting better. It's a wonderful idea and it stops people from
suffering when they don't need to. No-one wants to die if they don't have
to, but I know I have had no hesitation in asking for this. No-one should
suffer when they don't have to.

I am pleased that the Northern Territory has such a law, even though it was
so difficult for me to use, as at least now I can legally and honestly end
my life. I hope this law survives and is able to help others like me, who
have found the suffering has become too great. It should not be overturned
by the politicians in Canberra, but given a chance to be made to work in the
way it was intended. I want people to see just how important this law was to
me now that I'm at the end of my life.

I would like to thank the media again for the sensitivity that was shown at
the press conference. It was their reporting that made things possible, but
now that things have worked out for me, I would ask that they respect my
husband and family's privacy.

In conclusion, I would like to say goodbye, and to thank all the people who
I've met here in Darwin who were so kind and so good to me.

Janet Mills


STATEMENT BY DR NITSCHKE

4th January 1997.

Janet Mills ended her life in Darwin, on the morning of Thursday 2nd
January, making use of a machine delivered lethal injection, in accordance
with the NT 'Rights of the Terminally Ill' Act.

I apologise for misrepresenting the situation regarding the signatures
required by Janet, but the need to protect my patient from the intense media
interest in her plight made it impossible to do otherwise.


Jan 1, 1997

National freecall and fighting fund set up

Details were announced last night of a national freecall (1800) telephone
number to provide information on the campaign to defeat the Kevin Andrews
anti euthanasia bill in the Senate.

The number to ring nationally is: 1 800 655 288

The responsibility for answering these calls, and receiving donations for
the 'Voluntary Euthanasia Fighting Fund' will be rotated between the states.
Patron of the Fund is Judy Dent, wife of the first person to use the NT
Rights of the Terminally Ill Act.  Donations for the Voluntary Euthanasia
Fighting Fund can be lodged at any Westpac bank:

Acc No: 735318-532485

The 'Fighting Fund' has a very specific objective: the overturning of the
Andrews Bill in the Senate. 


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