Citizen of Netherlands Euthanized Due to Alcohol Addiction
According to the Independent, word has emerged of a resident of the Netherlands who was granted a request to be euthanized because he was���an alcoholic.
You read that right.
Earlier this year, on July 14, Mark Langedijk decided to end his own life, with the approval of the state, after he reportedly reached a point of abject desperation over his inability to successfully overcome his alcoholism. Although Langedijk had sought help for all of the eight years he was formally deemed an alcohol addict, and had made 21 separate visits to rehab during that time, he was unable to find any lasting relief.
The Netherlands passed a euthanasia law in 2002, something called the ���Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide (Review Procedures) Act,��� which basically says that euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are not punishable if certain criteria are met. These criteria include a determination that a patient���s suffering is unbearable and there���s no chance of improvement; that their request to be euthanized is voluntary and is made over a period of time; that the patient must be completely aware of all of their options; and that they must be at least 12 years of age (patients between 12 and 16 must have parental consent).
(So, no euthanizing anyone under 12 in the Netherlands? Well, THAT���S good to hear.)
The Netherlands has had a more benevolent view of euthanasia for a long time now, one that has placed the country at odds with much of the rest of the world on the hyper-controversial subject. Many U.S. politicians have pointed very critically over the years to the euthanasia laws of the Netherlands, with Steve Forbes saying back in 2000 that doctors there ���routinely kill patients without the patients��� permission because they want a hospital bed.���
Regarding the euthanasia of Langedijk, specifically, Fiona Bruce, a Conservative MP in Great Britain, said that his death was ���deeply concerning and yet another reason why assisted suicide and euthanasia must never be introduced into the UK.���
Continuing, Bruce said, ���What someone suffering from alcoholism needs is support and treatment to get better from their addiction ��� which can be provided ��� not to be euthanized.���
By Robert G. Yetman, Jr. Editor At Large
