Departing Drugs

By Chris Docker , Cheryl Smith, and the International Drugs Consensus Working Party
1993, 68 pp, pbk. Price: £ 8GBP(UK) £ 10GBP (overseas). Please enclose proof of age. For additional notes and advice on payment click here.

If assisting suicide is against the law, how is Exit able to provide such a booklet?

In Scotland there is a doctrine of novus actus interveniens which means "a new act intervening". If a person comes to the Exit office (or writes to us) saying they are about to commit suicide, and would we tell them how to do it, then we are not able to help in that way - we would be "assisting" in their suicide; but thousands of people order this booklet, Departing Drugs, and of those only a tiny percentage actually go ahead with suicide - for most people it is simply a reassurance that they know how to pull the plug should things get too awful, it is a key to a door marked Exit. In other words, there has to be another factor from when they order the book that causes them to commit suicide - this is a 'new act intervening.'

Most people who order the booklet are in good health. They have many years to plan ahead should the going get tough. For most people, good palliative care will ensure a comfortable and dignified death but, for the small proportion who face the possibility of a very terrible death, Departing Drugs can offer some reassurance. It is well-researched, peer-reviewed, and supported by scientific papers. But it is not an instant panacea. We recommend several readings to fully understand it, and if someone is completely paralysed or in the last few days of life then there are obviously less options they can avail themselves of should they wish to take matters into their own hands.

We welcome all enquiries for the book from members after three months membership, but we do not 'fast-track' orders for any reason, and we may have to refuse an order if required by law to do so (in which case payment will be returned or credit cards not debited of course).

If you pass the book on to someone else you should also understand that you may not only be breaking your purchase agreement with us (that says it is for private and confidential reading) but you may also be liable in law if that person is committing suicide.

We do not have the facilities to offer one-to-one counselling (although we provide occasional workshops). If you need more details on the law or your health care rights or your treatment options you should consult a lawyer or a social worker or palliative care expert. If you wish to discuss suicidal feelings we recommend that you speak to the Samaritans (in the UK) who are non-judgemental and will give you the opportunity to work through your thoughts and feelings with a listener.

Samaritans: Tel 08457 909090 or http://www.samaritans.org.uk/
For more information on hospices, Macmillan Nurses and expert palliative care, ask your doctor or medical consultant. Some information can also be found at Hospice Information Service and at Macmillan Cancer Relief.