PORTLAND, Ore. -- Portland psychiatrist, Dr. Stuart Weisberg is about to do what no one has dared in Oregon.
He plans to open a home in the Sellwood neighborhood where terminally ill Oregonians can kill themselves under the state's Death with Dignity law.
Dr. Weisberg said he felt compelled to act after watching a TV interview with Dr. Jack Kevorkian, who pioneered assisted suicide. He decided there are too many barriers in Oregon's law.
"Very few doctors are willing to approach it and I think a lot of patients are scared to approach it," said Dr. Weisberg. "It's only until they are desperate because they are suffering so greatly that they even look into it. And by then it's too late and no doctor wants to touch them," he said.
Under Oregon law, a legal resident who is terminally ill and has agreement from two doctors that the person has only six months to live, is eligible for a lethal dose of drugs from a pharmacy in order to end their own life.
The Oregon Department of Human Services reports 59 people used the law to end their own life in 2009. Fifty-five different doctors wrote lethal prescriptions.
Still, Dr. Weisberg believes there is a need in the community.
He posted a web site www.endoflifeconsultants.com to explain his services.
They include catering, security, video taping, music, flowers and -- for an additional $1,200 -- three hours with the psychiatrist and his therapy dog. The total package carries a price tag of $5,000.
A former state lawmaker who helped pass Oregon's law is not impressed.
"It's the commercialization of death with dignity," said George Eighmey. "He's creating a dying house, video taping it, providing goods and services---I think it degrades what's going on."
Eighmey is executive director of Compassion@choices of Oregon. The organization helps patients navigate the Death with Dignity law. He says most people want to die at home, surrounded by their families.
"I don't think his setting up a business to do it -- in my opinion is not appropriate, and even the taking of the photographs and videos is ghoulish," said Eighmey.
But Dr. Weisberg insists his Dignity House will bring compassionate care and provide a needed service for Oregonians.
"They can have as many family members there as they want ---they can bring their pets -- and, I guess for lack of better expression, do the deed," he said.
