Damon Locantro has made a name for himself on the Sunshine Coast defending people charged with breaking the law. His practice, Locantro Lawyers, specialises in criminal defence but also offers services to those facing action by a government department. Damon has 15 years experience in criminal law and was formerly a NSW prosecutor and member of the NSW Police Service.

Euthanasia guide is dangerous

October 15 | Damon Locantro

What does the concept of freedom of choice mean?

Does it extend to having the right to choose whether you live or die?

In our society we rely on the sanctity of life.

It means generally that we all have the will to live and we all try to save each others life.

It's about putting life above all else.

The banning of the "how to die peacefully” book in Australia raises these issues along with many others.

There are of course, pros and cons.

If a person has lost the will to live, should they have the choice to die?

And if they have that choice, then by extension, should they be able to decide on how to do it?

That is the ultimate choice.

By choosing a peaceful method, they might be less inclined to use others or expose others in their attempt to carry out their suicide.

Personally, I support the ban in this country.

I feel that if this type of material is readily available, it may make suicide seem easy and persuade people to commit the act as opposed to dealing with any issues that they have.

I know that many children and teenagers experience problems in their upbringing, that may seem to be all consuming at the time however temporary.

With this book being an ebook, and young people having more exposure to the internet, it is likely to fall into the hands of a young person.

A book making suicide seem easy and peaceful is the last thing they would need to read.

I believe that we need to preserve the concept of the sanctity of life.

Recent Comments

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Posted by chillibin from little mountain

on 15 October, 2008 at 7:01 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

you can read whatever you wish on the internet anyway - one more thing isnt going to make a difference. And if people really want to kill themselves they will as well - they dont need a guide. This is more a guide to terminally ill people who are suffering terribly and no longer have any quality to their lives. This is long overdue. We shouldnt be preserving life that no longer has any quality and is miserable and drawn out. That is cruel - we dont even do that to our animals. I hope should I ever be in that position I can make an informed choice and end my life with dignity.

Posted by coastsuzi from caloundra

on 15 October, 2008 at 8:15 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

If you are so worried about this guide and teenagers, why would you even publish your comments?
Or for that matter, why hasn't editorial department told you not to, or have they forgotten the agreement on suicide reporting in the media.

Posted by LittleMtMan from Little Mountain

on 15 October, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Few under the age of 50 years seem to accept Responsibility for their own Behavior. They have grown up in a world controlled by Lawyers who control Pollies so that every activity is subject to Big Brother.
Now when the terminally ill wish to die, they are told No, just keep suffering. I for one belonging to the over 65 year old set, can accept responsibility for my own well being, and if I choose to die with dignity, will do so. Thank god I am not young enough to know it all or have Religion colouring my thinking and wish to control the lives of others.

Posted by vanga from caloundra

on 23 October, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

the joy of living in Australia Damon is that you are allowed to have personal views.

My personal views are that euthanasia is a valid choice that can be made by fully informed people. And when my older rellies come to me for a copy of the book I will download one from wherever it is on the internet.

The recent case of a young english rugby player showed how necessary the choice is.

Posted by wiradjuriwoman from Katanning

on 1 November, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

I can in some instance speak as one of those who may well have had reason for the choices and to some extent still do, I am 58yrs old and at age 16 was in a car crash that took the life of the driver, my mother was told there was no hope of me surving..this was after they had already pronounced me DOA at Tamworth Base Hospital (December 66) now this is a hard thing to say to any mother but it was said and my mother waited for me to die but held up hope, I survived the critical period after serious head injuries and many many fractures of each limb with spinal fractures, mum was then told I may live but my life would be as a vegetable, well after much deliberation on the part of the orthopeadic surgeons, nuero surgeons, othodontists, chiropractors, physios etc and much of my own will to live (yes there were many times of attempted suicide) I have made it this far and defied medical science in many many ways, I would say that if I was in a position of being a burden on my children and grandchildren with a serious terminal illness I would prefer to leave this earth with a sense of dignity and peace of mind knowing that I was making the choice of my own free will of sound mind.
When my sheep are very ill, no matter what I do to help them medically they will themselves to death and die peacefully.
When my dog could walk no more due to age and arthritis was affecting her I was informed it was better to let her go.

If someone wishes in a written statement to not administer medical aid after a certain period in an illness, and we do administer that medical aid we have violated the right to a democratic choice, legally we have violated a human right to make a choice of life or death and maintained a life for our own benefit.
I therefore support the choice.