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. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=7429