Initiative 1000 update: 28 got prescriptions for lethal drugs; 16 died

Twenty-eight terminally-ill Washingtonians have received life-ending prescriptions under a law that took effect in March, according to the Department of Health.

Sixteen of them have since died, although the state will not release statistics saying how many of them died of natural causes, without taking the drugs. Supporters say they know of 11 people who used their prescriptions to end their lives.

That puts Washington about on a par with Oregon, the only other state to pass a law allowing doctors to prescribe lethal doses of medication to terminally ill patients, according to supporters of the act.

"Deaths under the death with dignity act have been safe, legal and rare," said Robb Miller, Executive Director of Compassion & Choices of Washington.

To opponents, any deaths that are hastened under the act are too many.

"We ought not be celebrating numbers of people who have died from a lethal drug overdose," said Eileen Geller, president of True Compassion Advocates. "We don't believe assisted suicide is the answer to anything."

I-1000, passed last November, allows physicians to prescribe lethal medication to patients predicted to have fewer than six months to live, if the patient is deemed mentally competent. The patient must initiate the request and administer the medication himself or herself.

Maureen O'Hagan: 206-464-2562 or mohagan@seattletimes.com

An earlier version of this story, published September 8, 2009, was corrected September 8, 2009. Previously, the story misidentified Eileen Geller, president of True Compassion Advocates, as Ellen Geller.