Exit Nth America Meetings Draw Big Crowds & Protests

Home , Exit International

e-Deliverance A Peaceful Death is Everybody’s Right Dec - Jan Exit International 2009-10 Exit Nth America Meetings Draw Big Crowds & Protests In early November Exit International em- It was especially heartening to see many of barked on its first Nth America tour drawing the congregation stay for the meeting, then large crowds in both the US and Canada. joining Exit and attending the workshop.

Beginning on 4 November in the Canadian In contrast to the large Vancouver crowd, city of Vancouver at the Unitarian Church on the Bellingham workshop was an intimate Oak St, the Exit meeting attracted around affair with only a handful of participants, not 150 with the least due to the large major- scare-monger- ity staying on ing of a pro- for the closed life, anti-choice workshop. outfit known as the True Com- It was a passion Advo- search for cates. spare chairs as those inter- Twisting Exit’s ested to hear self-empower- Dr Nitschke’s ment message m e s s a g e to suit their streamed in, own macabre causing even forecasts of the host, Rev- global doom, erend Dr. Ste- Demonstrations in Bellingham WA this group’s ven Epperson, online recruit- to lend a hand bringing the campus’ office ment of protesters was even taken up by chairs to assist with seating. the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle. It was not unexpected when Exit began receiving Exit held a media conference immediately phone calls stating that some people would prior to the meeting where Dr Nitschke was not be attending due to the threat of pro- able to formally thank David Eby, Executive tests, although these same folk said they Director of the British Columbia Civil Lib- hoped to attend later events. erties Association. Exit remains grateful This Edition to BCCLA for their • Exit Nth America Meetings - Page 1 support after the re- • News from Nth America - Page 2-3 fusal of the Vancou- • Pressure Gauges Go on Sale - Page 3 • Police Raids on Exit - Page 4 ver Public Library to • eHandbook Dec09 Update - Page 5 host exit’s meeting. • Wedding Bells - Page 5 The warm welcome • Exitorial - Page 5 • Change of Face for Exit Chapters - Page 6 extended by the Uni- • Exit UK in 2010 - Page 6 tarians was grateful- • Exit US in 2010 - Page 6 ly received. • Australian - NZ ExiTutorials in 2010 - Page 7 • Exit Trust Me Pledge - Page 7 • Exit Store - Page 8 News from North America It was a welcome change then that the San Francisco meeting drew only two protesters amidst an enthusiastic audience of over 120.

With Exit’s forthcoming visit to the Bay City noted in a hostile opinion piece from pro- life personality Wesley J. Smith in the San Francisco Chronicle, many people said they came along to hear Dr Nitschke, pre- cisely to establish how wrong the likes of Smith are when it comes to the end of life choices debate. ‘Connect with Mark Kelley’ (Canadian TV)

got underway with no controversy. Of all the Nth American meetings, the Anaheim event most resembled the typical Austral- ian workshop in the down-to-earth manner in which participants asked questions and the discussion that followed.

Exit would particularly like to thank Richard Smith, Linda Banez and Jay Kay, for their behind-the-scenes help, and Faye Girsh for advertising the event to her local chapter members.

The Nth America tour closed with Dr Nitschke’s return to Canada for the first The prayer room at the San Francisco Buddhist Centre was BCCLA Civil Liberties Film Festival in Van- overflowing to hear Dr Nitschke couver, where Janine Hosking’s 2004 fea- The San Francisco meeting was covered ture documentary ‘Mademoiselle and the by Associated Press; the report was sub- Doctor’ was screened. sequently syndicated to outlets globally including The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald back in Australia. Exit is grateful to the generous welcome extended by the San Francisco Buddhists in fielding phone calls and enquiries, and especially for their support on the day as one wheelchair-bound protester attempted to barge her way into the meeting.

Exit’s fourth Nth American meeting was held on Saturday 14 November at the East Anaheim Community Centre. While attract- ing a strong crowd of around 70, this meeting was notable for the welcome absence BCCLA Director David Eby accepting a dot etching which Dr Philip of protesters. As a result the workshop Nitschke brought from Darwin to thank the BCCLA for their support.

2. Pictures from America

The Associated Press report of Exit’s San Francisco meeting

Demonstrating in Bellingham WA

Dr Nitschke being interviewed in Vancouver on TV news Protestor Marilyn Golden of the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund protesting outside the San Francisco Buddhist Centre Pressure Gauges & Plastic Tube go on sale at Peacefulpill.com & by Mail Order In response to member requests, last month Exit US Shipping which began selling pressure gauges and pharmaceutical is included in oxygen tubing at www.peacefulpill.com. the price, takes around 7 - 10 The gauge easily connects to Exit’s helium flow days, depend- control fitting and is designed to measure the pres- ing upon the sure of Balloontime Helium cylinders. country.

When full, the pressure of both the large (420 litre/ Gas pressure gauge & tube 14.9 cubic feet) cylinder and the smaller (250 litre/ 8.8 cubic feet) cylinder should measure ~ 1500 kPa. Exit Contact The Exit pressure gauge is designed to give surety Exit International as to the amount of compressed Helium contained tel. 1300 10 3948 (EXIT) (Aus Head Office) in the cylinders. tel. (uk) 02071-931-557 tel. (usa) 1-248-809-4435 The oxygen hose has soft ends and provides a per- tel. (melb) 03-9850-8192 fect fit to Exit’s Helium flow control fitting. The gauge tel. (nz) 09 889-0964 kit is available by post (order form back page of this fax. (oz) +61 2 9805-9249 newsletter) or at www.peacefulpill.com for US$55. [email protected] www.exitinternational.net www.peacefulpill.com

3. Police Raid Exit’s Melbourne Office On Thursday 12 November, Exit International’s Mel- in 2002 has Exit been subject to this type of po- bourne office was subject to a police raid concern- lice involvement. Then Exit offices in three states ing the death of former Exit member Frank Ward of were subject to simultaneous raids and the entire Brisbane. database seized. After Exit took legal action in the Northern Territory Supreme Court, Acting on instruction from Queensland Queensland Police were forced to return police, a three-strong team of Victoria Po- the database intact and pay court costs in lice detectives arrived at the Melbourne excess of $40,000 for their error. office mid morning where volunteers where busy with a mail-out. This time the Police took care not to ap- propriate any information which was not The warrant served on Exit National Coor- specified in the warrant. Exit members dinator Lindy Boyd related ONLY to Frank therefore have nothing to worry about in Ward and three other members of Exit, all terms of a breach of their privacy. of whom have been notified. Exit International takes the confidenti- Seemingly aware that a warrant for ality of our member records very seri- information on one particular mem- ously. The database is professionally ber does NOT allow for the wholesale managed under the watchful eye of seizure of Exit’s member database, a Canberra IT company, well known the police were very particular about for its work with the upper echelons what they took away with them. of government.

That said it is concerning that the In regard to the death of Mr Ward, Police have felt it necessary to use strong-arm tac- who had not been a member of Exit for more than tics to obtain information which would have been a year prior to his death, we have little knowledge readily forthcoming had they only asked. of the circumstances of his passing. At all times Exit is a lawful organisation and we are committed Over the years, Exit has been approached regularly to ensuring programs such as the Nancy’s Friends by various Police for assistance where suicides and Network act the same. other possible suspicious deaths have been inves- tigated. The Coroner’s office has also sought Exit After all, the Exit ethos is that preparing one’s assistance and the organisation has usually been self for the future is what saves loved ones from le- pleased to cooperate fully. gal risk.

This is why the Melbourne raid was so unexpected. Not since the days of Nancy Crick’s death back Police Raid Sydney Exit Member’s House for Nembutal AFP Interview Canberra & the Peaceful Pill Handbook Chapter Cooridnator In what is surely an uncanny coincidence, the house In the same of a Sydney Exit member was subject to a raid by week as the NSW Police on the same day as Queensland and Q u e e n s - the Victoria Police visited Exit’s Melbourne office. land and Victoria Po- Armed with a warrant that stated they were search- lice raided ing for Nembutal, travel documents and other infor- Exit’s Mel- mation (eg. the banned Peaceful Pill Handbook), this bourne office, the Canberra Chapter Coordinator, Exit member does not wish his name to be released). Dr David Swanton, was interviewed by the Aus- He did however tell Exit that he had discussed his tralian Federal Police in regard to the death of Exit plans at the Sydney Chapter member, Graham Daly. meeting in Chatswood earlier in the year. This leads Exit to Investigating on behalf of the ACT Coroner, the po- consider the possibility that lice had apparently acquired Graham’s computer the Chapter may have been and discovered his membership of Exit. Similar to infiltrated by authorities. The the case Frank Ward in Brisbane, Dr Swanton had consequences of this for Exit little knowledge of the individual concerned and chapters is examined on knew even less about how or when he had come to page 6 of this newsletter. take his life. Mr Daly was 65 years old.

4. Exitorial eHandbook Dec09 Update At last the holiday season is here & Exit is winding The December 09 update to the online Peaceful up its Workshop program for 2009. Wow! Pill eHandbook (to be published 31/12/09) provides a number of significant updates including: Our final challenge, the Nth American tour, was am- bitious & risky, but we can now report success with • Confirmed continued supply of Nembutal in large crowds attending meetings in several cities & Mexico towns many new Exit members welcomed. Some of the • Inert Gases & Face Masks workshops were dogged by protests, this was per- • Common myths about Morphine haps to be expected given our first time visit.

Beginning this month, future updates to this book The tour began successfully enough in Vancouver will include the addition of FAQ sections to each Canada. This was despite our original venue, the chapter. The FAQs are intended to address com- Vancouver Public Library, pulling out for fear of legal mon myths about various end of life approaches risk. It is with some irony that I can announce, as and re-emphasise the importance of Exit’s unique this newsletter goes to press, that the Vancouver Reliability - Peacefulness Tests. For more informa- Public Library has now ordered multiple copies of tion visit www.peacefulpill.com. the Peaceful Pill Handbook, requesting for urgent shipping as Canadians demand end of life rights.

The North American visit also enabled me to meet with Exit US presidents past & present, & discuss with them the creation of a 2010 workplan for how Exit will operate in the US & Canada. I will be mak- ing announcements on this in the February edition of Deliverance, when we will also publish the confirmed workshop dates for Australia. In 2010, Exit also plans to visit the UK twice, something which will be much easier when we have a US base.

* Wedding Bells * Of concern this month, however, has been the in- Exit staff are delighted to be able to con- volvement of Exit staff, chapter coordinators & gratulate Exit Director Dr Philip Nitschke members with various police authorities in Australia. The raid on the Melbourne office was unfortunate, and his partner of eight years, Dr Fiona as was the questioning of members in Sydney over Stewart, on their recent marriage. The the acquisition of end of life drugs, & members in couple wedded in a secret ceremony in Canberra over the construction of gas-flow fittings. Las Vegas on 17 November. Please join As a result of this increasing level of police interest us in wishing them the very best for their & the possible infiltration of the Sydney chapter, all Exit Chapters will be looking at a change in focus in continued future together. 2010 to limit any unwanted police attention.

You will find enclosed with this edition of Deliver- ance, Exit’s 2009 Annual Report. Each year Exit publishes this record to summarise the activities of the organisation throughout the past year. Each year, as we look over the publication, we are qui- etly impressed by the amount of activity generated by our small organisation. For this Exit staff & our many chapter coordinators & volunteers must take credit. Exit’s existence is due to the hard work & commitment of many people. I thank them all. If you have feedback or thoughts stemming from the Annual Report or wish to comment on Exit’s work, please contact us by email, letter or phone.

Finally for this month, a word about my recent marriage to Fiona. We have been working & living together for nearly eight years. In that time she has become my best friend & most valuable colleague. Right now, I’m feeling tremendously lucky!

Philip & Fiona 5. Change of Face for Exit Chapters in 2010 The recent police raid on the home of an Exit activities, reorient themselves towards a more member and the interview of the Canberra Chapter social network/ support focus to provide friendship, Coordinator by the AFP (together with the raid on information-sharing and a connection point with Exit’s Melbourne office) has caused Exit to rethink members in local areas. how our chapters operate. Acknowledging that many Chapters While Exit chapters have occupied a have been highly successful at equip- prized position within the organisa- ping members with practical information, the possible infiltration of the tion and even equipment (eg. the DIY Sydney chapter has caused Exit to manufacture of Helium kits), in the undertake a risk management as- current persecutory climate it makes sessment of all of the organisation’s far better sense to leave the provi- activities. sion of information to Exit Director Dr Philip Nitschke and the ExiTutorial Exit has always taken seriously its ob- program. ligation not to expose its volunteers or members to legal risk, directly or indirectly. If Important changes are planned for the ExiTutorial authorities have decided to target Exit in Australia program in 2010 to compensate for this changed for political reasons, it is incumbent upon the or- role for chapters. In the absence of a law on vol- ganisation to minimise the reasons why this might untary euthanasia/ assisted suicide in the majority be seen as warranted scrutiny. of jurisdictions where Exit is active, and with the arrest of activists in the US (after infiltration by au- To this end in 2010, Exit proposes that those Chap- thorities) front of mind, these changes are a logical ters that have adopted a practical focus in their development. Exit UK 2010 Exit US 2010 In 2010, Exit International will be holding meetings In the US in 2010, Exit International is in the UK in late March and November. Confirmed planning a national series of meetings dates will be published in the February edition of on both the east and west coast and in Deliverance. Canada. Following the success of the Since Exit’s 2009 tour of the UK, the organisation November 2009 tour and amidst a marked has been approached by more than five separate increase in demand for Exit’s unique documentary film crews, each seeking to accom- brand of practi- pany Exit on its next round of UK meetings. cal information, A film crew is therefore likely to be selected in the Exit meetings coming months to document Exit’s March 2010 will launch in meetings which are scheduled to be held in Lon- June and be held don, Edinburgh and Dublin. throughout the year. (While a second 2009 series of workshops had been planned for From the organisation’s base in Belling- October/ November ham, Exit US is set to expand significantly this year, this had to in Nth America, and not only in response be postponed after to interest from Americans. Exit’s pro- the difficulties with securing a venue in posed shift into the US is also a response the Canadian city of to the increasingly censorial political cli- Vancouver.) mate of Australia.

UK Exit Workshops will commence at 11am with a With the Australian government’s ‘Clean public meeting followed by a workshop. The meetings will close at 3pm. Feed’ (mandatory Internet Censorship scheme) likely to be implemented in the Confirmed dates will be posted on www.exitinter- first half of 2010, and with Exit’s websites national.net. Early bookings can be made by email- due to be blocked as a result, Exit has lit- ing or phoning Exit on 02071-931-557. tle choice but to seek political asylum in a

6. country that takes civil liberties seriously. Australian/ NZ ExiTutorials 2010 In 2010 in Australia, Exit will be revamping A second round of Australian meetings will our leading Workshop/ ExiTutorial program. be held in November - December. Building on the extensive geography covered in 2009 with meetings held in ten locations in As has been the case in 2009, meetings will the Australian state of Queensland alone, the commence with a one hour free public meet- new year stands to be one of consolidation as ing. After morning tea, the ExiTutorial will meetings expand from three commence. The session to five hours. will be divided into one hour segments, each featuring a In Australia, workshops will different topic area. be held in all capital cities at least once a year with Program Melbourne, Sydney and 10-11am Public Mtg (free) SE Queensland (the main 11-11.30am Morning Tea member population centres) 11.30-12.30 Overview - Methods scheduled for two meet- 12.30-1pm Lunch ings each. The first round 1-2pm Drugs & Nembutal of Australian workshops will 2-2.15pm Break The November Melbourne Exit meeting attracted a take place in March and April capacity crowd of over 150 at the Toorak Library 2.15-3.15pm Gases & Poisons in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, 3.30pm Close Adelaide and Brisbane. Workshops will be held in New Zealand in November. Final details will be published in the February edition of Deliverance. The Exit Trust Me Pledge In October, Exit launched its ‘Trust Me’ Cam- Jean’s Pledge paign calling the Exit community to send a I want you to trust me in my choice public message on why end of life choices of when and how my life should end, should be trusted to those who desire them. because, in my very late 80s, with a very alert mind, I feel that my great ‘What is it’, Exit depth of experience of life has given asks, ‘about ration- me knowledge, understanding and al adults who, in strength to make a good decision about MY LIFE AND ITS END. their senior years or ill of health, that Especially, my experience and strength prevents a govern- of mind come from my world war 2 ex- ment from treating perience as a UK Women’s Auxiliary Air them like grown Force airwoman in Bomber Command, adults; capable of where I met death in all its trappings being trusted with among the gallant young men who some of life’s most faced ‘suicide bombing missions’ every fundamental deci- night over enemy territory. (My future sions?’ husband was one of these brave young men.) Many members have answered the call, few more eloquently These young men had no choice on the than Jean Smith of McCrae in Victoria. manner of their end, as they faced and obeyed the consequences of their Gov- Exit Holiday Office Hours ernment’s orders. The Exit office will close Friday 18 December, reo- Now, in turn, my husband and my- pening Monday 11 January. Voicemail and email self ask our Government to accept OUR will be responded to within 48 hours during this CHOICE of how we die - we are not time. Emergencies, please call Dr Nitschke’s mobile infants or teenagers - we have been on 0407 189 339. For members outside Australia tried and tested - please now accept our contact will operate as normal. choice.

7. Exit Store Ordering Guidelines The complete range of Exit books is now available worldwide. Orders of more than one item will be recalculated to save on postage.

Exit UK Store Exit US Store Exit Oz/ NZ Store PO Box 64087 PO Box 4250 PO Box 37781 London E1W 9BW UK Bellingham WA 98227 USA Darwin NT 0821 Aust Ph: 02071-931-557 Ph: 248-809-4435 Ph: 1300 10 3948 (EXIT) Fax: 02078-550-828 Fax: 360-844-1501 Fax: 02 8905 9249

THE ONLINE PEACEFUL PILL eHANDBOOK is available from www.peacefulpill.com

Print Edition - PPH Print Edition - PPH Print Edition - PPH BANNED (Australians wanting to £23 (includes postage within UK) US $30 (includes postage within US) purchase the PPH will (ships from UK) US $40 (includes postage worldwide) need to order from (ships from USA) the USA)

Btw the Dying & Dead Btw the Dying & Dead Btw the Dying & Dead Biography of Dr Jack Kevorkian Biography of Dr Jack Kevorkian Biography of Dr Jack Kevorkian £32 (incl postage to UK) US$42 (incl postage US) AUD$62 (incl postage to Aust/NZ) (ships from USA) (ships from USA) (ships from USA)

Mademoiselle & Doctor DVD Mademoiselle & Doctor DVD Mademoiselle & Doctor DVD (PAL format) (PAL format) (NTSC format) AUD$38.50 £25 (incl postage to UK) US$31 (incl postage worldwide) (incl postage within Aust/ NZ) (ships from Aust) (ships from Aust) (ships from Aust)

Exit Gas Flow Controls are available by mail order from Exit US in Bellingham (US$75) or online at www.peacefulpill.com

Exit Pressure Gauge & Tube are available by mail order from Exit US in Bellingham (US$55) or online at www.peacefulpill.com Join or Donate to Exit International I wish to join/ rejoin/ donate to Exit International (Membership Aust -A$55 - 12 months, inclu GST $5; Membership US $50 - 6 months; Membership UK £25 - 6 months) GST-free donations gratefully accpeted year round. Life membership granted for donations of >A$1000 I would like to make a bequest to Exit (please send me associated paperwork) First Name(s)…………………...……...... …...... I am paying $ ………...... on (today’s date)......

Last Name……………………………...……...... Visa Mastercard Cheque

Address……………………………..…..……...... Credit Card No………….………………….…......

Zipcode...... Country...... Name on Card………………....…...... …...…...... eMail ...... @...... Signature…………………………………...... …......

Telephone………………………...... …...... Expiry Date…….……../...... ……...... If paying by cheque, cheque must be in the denomination of the country that ships product Exit International - Main Office PO Box 37781 Darwin, Northern Territory 0821 Australia 134 Ayr St, Doncaster, Victoria 3108 Australia (office) Melbourne office 03 9850 8192 [email protected] www.exitinternational.net