Page 8A The Castlegar Sun Find it. in the Classifieds Euthanasia and the controversy surrounding it TRAIL TIMES Dying can involve some pret- ty scary choices. The end result is the same, of course, but arriv- ing there is what is causing increasing difficulty — the importance of death with dignity. Arguments rage concerning euthanasia (translated literally, it means good or gentle death) and whether people have the right of self determination concerning how and when to die. Controversy over euthanasia is ‘inspiring heated debate in both DECORATING CONSULTANT COMMERCIAL — RESIDENTIAL e DECOR LTD. ‘for your convenience - consultations by appointment’ ¢ No Decorating Project Too Small « For Appointment Please Call 352-6223 enay Custom agent for GInwoo0p HOMES: Together Bringing You The Best In Home Design & Pre-Cut Home Packages Initial Consultation — no charge Custom Home Plans — .30¢ sq. ft. ry Red oi, Sale Extended to June 1/92 on Home Packages Conventional Home Pkgs. from $19.20 sq. ft. Post & Beam Home Pkgs. from $21.88 sq. ft. ¢ Expert Framing Crews Available « * 120 page home Catalogue - $12.00 « CALL TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION 332-9323 IMINININ Canada and the United States. Closer to home, a Right To Die With Dignity white paper, com. missioned by the B.C. govern- ment in 1994 and headed by Justice Thomas D. Seaton recom- mends the provincial government lobby for changes in the federal Criminal Code to “recognize the competent adult patient's abso- lute right to refuse medical treat- ment ... and where that person is not competent the right may be exercised by a duly appointed proxy.” The commission further rec- ommends that “if a terminally ill patient's suffering cannot be oth- erwise relieved, a physician may prescribe, and a health care worker may administer, any ther- apeutically necessary pain relief medication to that patient in a dose which may be fatal.” This does not sit well with all physicians, some who feel they are rejecting their Hippocratic Oath (“I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody, if asked for, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect”) by supporting a patient's right to self-determination. Local doctors contacted by The Times said they felt uneasy talking about such a volatile sub- ject. Even the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons has no new policy set, and according to the Criminal Code of Canada the Practice of physicians assisting a Patient who wants to die is strict- ly illegal. The matter is currently under review by the collegé, deputy registrar Dr. Jack Harrig- an said. “I have tons of stuff on euthanasia — sufficient to con- vince and/or confuse the most avid pro or con (advocates).” Dr. Rob Neils, clinical psy- chologist and grief counsellor from Spokane has no such prob- lem speaking out. “If Hip- pocrates were taken onto a modern day intensive care unit The living will and how it TRAIL TIMES All Our Best from Castlegar Foods T-BONE | STEAK or Wing Steak * 7.68 kg. | Cut from Canada| Grade A Beef | 3°? + PORK | SAUSAGE Dinner or Breakfast 3.04 kg 1° RUMP ROAST oF Outside Round # Cut from Canada Grade A Beef © 4.37 kg is GREE FISH & CHIPS Sea Fresh * 750 g ea.) 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Canon_Art Turnbull, Trail's Anglican Church minister, believes it is a viable choice, one he and his wife have made, that Wednesday, February 12, 1992 where people are hooked up to machines which Prolong their dying he would be appalled. He likely would remind People of their credo; ‘First do no harm’.” Neils spoke with The Times fol- lowing @ grief clinic he gave in Trail a week ago, Neils is an outspoken advocate of cuthanasia or as he calls it, death with dignity. He was a strong lobbyist in the recent Ini- tiative 119, a referendum in the State of Washington on whether Or not to give people the right of 3d euch and beneficent measure when she can relieve herself of a difficult challenge by influencing the Patient to chose death? “When the proscription against killing is eroded, trust in the doctor cannot survive.” Hospice programs and pallia- tive care are better alternatives, he states. “They relieve pain and anxiety, prepare the patient for the experience of dying.” Brenda Hooper, co-ordinator of Trail Hospice would agree physicia ¥ The bill was defeated two months ago and Neils says it was mostly by the Catholic Church jand the $1.3 million it spent on an active ad campaign. “They really blitzed us.” An argument from anti- euthanasia physicians is, that if they become ‘killers’ they will lose the respect of their patients and many people would become afraid to seek medical assistance, “To the contrary, a doctor who co-operates with the family of a patient who asks for a merciful end to suffering gains respect because of the compassion such an act conveys,” says Neils, who believes families are grateful to a doctor who would help them in such a grave situation. However, this is not the view of Dr. Edmund Pellegrino, director of the advanced study of ethics at Georgetown University. The B.C. College of Physicans and Sur- geons’ Harrigan sent along a Paper published by Pellegrino a year ago outlining his views, In it he states he r with this. “We have a position ia,” take: on n from the B.C. arm of the hospice movement. It states: “hospice/palliative care secks neither to hasten or postpone death. The relief of suffering — Pom ; and spiri — is the primary goal.” It says quite clearly that it opposes euthanasia. But terminally ill persons are Often trapped in a painful dying Process with little dignity left them. As Woody Allen said, “I don’t fear dying, I just don't want to be around when it hap- pens!” Neils says that medical science has developed the technology to Prolong living to such a point that it “is really no longer prolonging living but prolonging dying. Medical knowledge at times has out-distanced its wisdom.” Both doctors cited medical costs and the rationing of who. have no chance of recov- ery.” The last medical crisis of a terminally ill ‘person. often exceeds $10,000. Again, they see a patient's plea for help from opposite sides of the fence. Pellegrino: “... a request for euthanasia is a plea for help and an attempt to regain some measure of control over one’s life which fatal illness seems to take away so forcible.” He believes it is up to the indi- vidual doctor to find the reasons for the request and alleviate them, whether it is guilt at being a burden, the financial strain or uncontrollable pain. Doctors who can’t or won't make the kind of investment of their time and emotional selves necessary “would be better placed in sp«- cialties that do not confront ter- minal illness very often.” Neils says the patient's plea to die is real. “The request for assis- tance in dying is solely and only in the hands of the patient.” His suggestion is two witnesses and two independent physicians must agree the patient has less than six months to live and freely chooses the assisted death. “It is tragic that as the law stands now, there are caring physicians who have to jeopardize their licence and freedom to give terminally ill Patients assistance in dying.” They can not legally respond to the pleadings of dying patients “for a dignified, humane, and i The safe is in their Pel- legrino says, “It is not too far a clear says Neils. “At no time should aid-in-dying be adminis- leap from the need to costs to, covertly or overtly, plan ia for those bers of “he sincerity of proponents of euthanasia. “Their desire to spare human suffering is commend- able. It is the means which they use which Are morally unaccept- able.” Pellegrino argues that “how can patients trust that the doctor will pursue every effective no “heroic” measures be taken when there is no hope of cure, merely a Prolonging of the inevitable It differs trom euthanasia, where a patient may need to be actively helped toward death. Dr. Jack Harrigan, deputy registrar of the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons, says the province of B.C. does allow its residents certain rights of self-determina- tion. “It has long been recognized that the patient has a right to refuse treatment.” He said that “with the compe- tent and informed adult there is rarely a problem,” but what of Canadi=in PROUDLY PRESENTS “SPECTACULAR'..." A MUST SEE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY..." THE BEST ICE SHOW EVER!” ~ oe D c U P Champions on Ice STARRING uaa FOR THE FIRST STARRING TIME EVER! 12 INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS IN AN EXCITING THEATRICAL PRODUCTION! 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Canon Turnbull, an advocate of the living will, at least for himself, said his church believes that a well-informed choice is essential. Whether talking about a living will or euthanasia itself, the Anglican Church, and Turn- bull himself, believes that anyone making a grave moral decision (and he includes abortion in that) should recognize that for every action there is a reaction, and as a minister, “it is my job to reflect with them. I can’t forbid (a cer- tain action). Nothing is in black and white. But I can help some- HAIRLINES 1444 Columbia Ave., Castlegar, B.C., 365-6700 Mon. - Sat. Wed. & Thurs, “til 8:00 pm CASTLEGAR WOMEN’S ASSOC. CASTLEGAR COMM. SERVICES CENTRE presenta VOLUNTEER TRAINING PROGRAM SAFE HOME PROVIDERS This program will train volunteers to provide short-term accomodation and support for battered women and their children. TO REGISTER CALL 365-2104 tered at the request of anyone other than the patient.” The issue could go well beyond the euthanasia argument, according to University of Vi: toria ethicist Eike Kluge. Tight budgets and burgeoning health care costs could soon be playing a major part as to who lives and who doesn’t, he warns. euthanasia one make an informed, rational decision.” The Christian perspective (and the Judaic) “is the sacredness of life is God's domain and we do not have a right to pre-empt God,” he said On the other hand, “it is not fair of society to expect medical doctors to make these decisions,” so in that sense — every person should consider self determina- tion in their death, as they have in their life, said Turnbull. "People should be discussing death long before they are in cri- sis and making preparation for it a hpman who is rational should Mave the right to continue specific medical treatment — or not.” Harrigan said that in many long-term care facilities, both here and in the United States, patients are given the Opportunity “and in many cases encouraged” to provide a living will or an advance directive. “Perhaps it would be preferable for patients to be encouraged to prepare such a document at an earlier day, rather than in a unfamiliar set- ting” and at a time of concem or fear for their health. Trail Lawyer Chris McEwan, who deals mostly in wills and estates and gives courses on the same, said he has drawn up a number of living wills, but, unfortunately, they are still not binding in a count of law. “Not yet. It is an expression of (some- one’s) wishes, but it has no bind- ing effect.” A person could See DEATH 12A Annie’s Gold Jewellery ‘Moving to Vancouver’ ALL STOCK MUST GO Last Day Feb. 18 Lobby Fireside Inn apes RES : i Local sports glance The proprietor of Big “O” Tires, Larry Chernenkoff, feels his $500 is pretty safe. Chernenkoff has offered the half-a-grand bonus to any one who can bow! a perfect game during Castle Bowl league play. The bowling alley’s own- ers, Roland and Velda Hand- ley, report that there has been years. Belczyk best Castlegar’s Felix Belczyk was the top Canadian at the downhill skiing event at the Albertville Olympics’ in France. Belczyk finished 18th. He credited his perfor- mance to an aggresive attack of the icey course which caused crashes by several other skiers on the Canadian team. Groundhog curling Ron Dergusoff of Fruitvale skipped the winning rink at the 1992 Groundhog Bon- spiel, held January 31 - February 2. Others on the “A” event's winning team included: third Brian Becker, second Craig Reitchmyth, and lead Harold Skeulnek. The runners up were skipped by Creston's Kevin Thompson. In the “B” event Rob Fer- guson of Fruitvale skipped the winner. Castlegar’s Bill Gattrell’s rink came in sec- ond. Gattrell’s teammates were: third Phil Babekaiff, second Stu Deverney, and third Jim Draper. | Others curlers | Castlegar to make finals were | Ame Akselson’s rink—run- ners up in the “C” event Akselson’s rink included: third Tom Wilson, second Abe Culley, and lead George Crosley. In the “C” event, Bill Pere- hudoff beat out Bill Van Yzerloo Jr. Both men are from Castlegar. The rest of the “C” win- ners were: third Barry Pere- hudoff, second Jim Perehudoff, and lead Al Hud- mina. For the runners up, Van Yzerloo Sr was third, Harry Sheridan was second, and Bob Bagg was lead. Minor Hock It has been an Off year for Midget hockey in Castlegar, literally. There has been no local minor hockey team in that division because of a lack of players. Last year the team finished second in both the midget Provincial championships and the B.C. winter games. But, in part because many of the players were picked up by Junior teams, there weren't enough to fill a roster this year. So two players from Castlegar, who didn’t make the junior cut, are com- muting to Nelson. And now that team has a chance of making its mark at the provincial level. JayCee Moore and Jeff Evdokimoff will be with the Nelson midget team which will travel to the B.C. Winter games in Vernon, February 28 to March 1. Judo champ Castlegar resident Steve Barta competed in the Jan- uary 25 Seniors Judo Tourna- ment in Port Coquitlam B.C. Barta, representing the Castlegar Judo Club, partici- pated in two wheight divi- sions—Brown and Black Belts Under 60 kilograms, where he took first place, and Under 65 kilograms, where he grabbed third place. This was the first tourna- ment for 1992, the next is the Pacific International Open, in Richmond B.C. and will involve competition from 0, Quebec and Japan. only one perfect game in 30|~ from | Saints do their part to stay alive JM ZEEBEN Sports editor Up, up and away is where the Selkirk men’s volleyball team hopes they are going in their play-off hunt. Rockettes remaining JIM_ZEEBEN Sports editor : Rory Perrier averaged 21 Points per game and earned MVP. honours as Stanley Humphries senior girls basketball team went undefeated in a weekend tourna- ment in Vernon. In the Rockettes first game, Perrier sank 24 points in a 67-44 win against Salmon Arm's second team. Kelly Davidoff had 17 Points in the win Salmon Arm's starters current- ly are the best triple A girls team in B.C.. The Rockettes are ranked number two in the province in girls double A. In their second game, S.H beat Fulton, the host school, 86- 53. Perrier again led the way with 24 points while Davidoff and Laurel Closkey had 16 each. Rockers lose to rivals The Stanley Humphries Senior boys basketball team lost to the host school, Grand Forks, 64-59, in the final game of a tournament held last weekend. Marcel Dusseault was the top Castlegar scorer with 21 points while Bob Baulne had 13 The loss drops the Rockers record against Grand Forks to 1-4 this year. The two teams will play again in the West Kootenay Championships February 21 “We had a defensive lapse in the fourth quarter,” said Rockers coach John Ritchie. “But we didn’t show them everything we have.” Ritchie said his team also had trouble offensively, making only about 30 per cent of their shots. “We had our chances,” he said. “For us to beat them we have to score more than 59 points.” The Rockers had better luck in Previous games at the tourna- ment. They easily beat Princeton 88- 38 and Osoyoos 62-41. Dusseault had 21 points against Osoyoos while Dan Kooznetsoff sank 20 points Against Princeton, Dusseault again led with 21 points while Ryan Vatkin had 15. Vatkin is still suffering from a sore wrist, hurt against the L.V. Rogers Bombers. The Rockers next two games are exhibitions against the Bombers. Time running short on Rebels After losing at home on Satur- day, the Castlegar Rebels took to the road on Sunday and did something they hadn't done all year. The Rebels shook another monkey from their backs this sea- son as they recorded their first win over Grand Forks, 7-3, on Sunday. But they couldn't shake the inconsistency which still plagues the team as they lost 11-5 on Sat- urday to the Beaver Valley Nite Hawks. “T take full fault for what hap- pened on Saturday,” said Rebels coach Gord Walker. Walker said he told his players he wanted them to play tough What happened was they ended up taking enough penalties to drag the game on for three and a half hours. “They misinterpreted me and Played stupid hockey,” he said. “The players believed tough hockey meant going out and Punching guys in the head. In my mind it's being willing to take a hit.” Walker said he stressed what he wanted a little more clearly before the Grand Forks game. “We played a little smarter than we have,,” he said. Shane Cutler scored two goals in the victory, while Kevin Nisse, Kevin Dewar, Mike Hunter, Dave Dyball, and Chris Sannutti added singles. Last night, Castlegar finished its regular season series against the Nelson Maple Leafs—the team they open against in the Playoffs. Results from the game were unavailable by Tuesday afternoon's press deadline The Rebels have two games remaining as next weekend marks the end of a frustrating sea Things won't be easy for Castle- gar in the play-offs as they'll face the best team in the league Play-offs start, in Nelson, on February 18. After that the teams alternate arenas in the best of seven series,” Selkirk College's men's vol- leyball team has picked up its Play in an attemipt to continue the dynasty which has seen the team win three straight provincial championships. Perra. “And I'm not sure if they have what it takes to beat us out.” “When we played VCC we didn’t play great [and we still beat them,)” Perra boasted, after the win. “They're starting to think they're not going to win.” ing matches Perra thinks if his club can win all of them, they will make the play-offs. “We have four more matches, the question now is can we catch up those two points?” he said. Perra thinks VCC is strug- The Saints went undefeated last weekend as they hosted a league tourna- ment at the Castlegar cam- pus. ‘We have four more matches. The question now ‘s can we make up those two points? — MIKE PERRA Men's volleyball coach gling just as his sqaud is getting hot. If the Van- couver school loses one more match than Selkirk, the Saints move into the final On ‘Friday, Selkirk beat Okanagan College in four sets. The Castlegar school won its first two, 15-8, 15-12, before losing 8-15. The Saints rebounded, and dominated Okanagan in the fourth set winning 15-3. Saturday, the men played two Sets. In the morning Selkirk beat the number two team in the league, Trinity Western Universi- ty of Langley. The teams extend- ed play on the first set before Selkirk finished it at 16-14, Trin- ity won the second set 15-11, but the Saints won the next two to take the match. The scores in the final sets were 15-9 and 15-3. In their final match of the tour- ney, Selkirk took on perennial rival Vancouver Community Col- lege (VCC). The Saints swept the matches in three straight 15-6, 17-16, 15-6. “It's a race between us and VCC for fourth place,” said ~ After a slow start, the Saints are once again threatening to make the play-offs. Selkirk has moved into fifth place in the league, two points behind VCC. Both teams have four remain- play-off spot. The men will practise this weekend to prepare for the all- important final league tourney of the year. That goes February 21, and 22, in the Lower Mainland. Women The women's team went 1-3 at the weekend BCCAA volley- ball tournament at Selkirk Col- . lege. They beat Capilano College in four sets while losing to Okanagan, TWU and VCC, all in three straight. The Saints have no chance of making the provincial tourna- ment. “Now that the pressure is off we'll make the last couple of weeks fun,” said women’s coach Gord Sookaveiff, who took over Q00 ‘ go 1-3 a traditionally tough post. For the last several years the women Saints have had trouble just getting a team on the court. This year there was a full bench which Sookaveiff eredits to players coming out of local High Schools and attending col- lege at home. “Things are better then in the Past,” he said. “We have a few good athletes from the local area.” Q00 games practice for provincials “We actually played really well,” said coach Jack Closkey. who had anticipated an easy tour- nament. But the lack of any real challenge caught up to the team in the next game. The Rockettes struggled to edge out K.L.O. from Kelowna 52-51. “We played poorly and K.L.O. played well,” Closkey said. “We weren't mentally prepared. We weren't aggressive.” Perrier had 19 points followed Junior girls win The junior girls. basketball team at Stanley Humphries Sec- ondary School had no trouble defeating Rossland on Monday. Led by Lisa Datchkoff with 20 by Rhonda Dawes with 9. Despite the poor pefformance * Closkey thinks the close game was the shot of cold water the girls can use. The Rockettes remaining games are against much weaker clubs in their division. “We're going to consider the next teams as practise and devel- opment games,” Closkey said. “We're not looking at them as a win or a loss because the kids wouldn't take them seriously.” easy while Junior points, the junior Rockettes won handidly 66-32. At one point early in the sec- ond quarter, Stanley Humphries held a 24 2 lead. Barring a serious collapse, Castlegar won't havea problem with either L.V. "Rogers of Salmo—their next competition. , They will also have little trou: ble beating J.L. Crowe at thé West Kootenay Championships, February 28. j The real competition won't come until the second week ig March, at the Provincial Champé onship tourney. ? See PROVINCIALS Toh boys lose hard Jan Holden and Shannon Gien; ger each had 10 points in the win; The junior boys were less suci cessful, losing three straight games at a weekend tournament ; <=. These two statuesque junior girls appear motionless. However, SHSS apparently didn't stand still as they easily won the game 66-32. i] ‘SUN STAFF PHOTO / Jim Zeaben