WELLINGTON, August 8, 2002 (LSN.ca) - Australian euthanasia activist Philip Nitschke will not be in trouble with the law for distributing his suicide bags in New Zealand. Nitschke has said he would distribute thick plastic bags specially designed for suffocating people. The design of the bags was based on a prototype from a Canadian pro-euthanasia group which halted production of the bags when one of its key distributors was charged with aiding and abetting suicide in Canada. However, unlike those distributed in Canada, the “Aussie bags” will not include instructions on their use. Alex Schadenberg of the Canadian Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, who was instrumental in bringing the information on the suicide bag to Canadian Police told LifeSite: “This bag is not only used for suicide, it can be used to kill a disabled person or elderly spouse or relative.” Schadenberg added: ” It was used that way in Canada last year.”
See the New Zealand press coverage: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2013241a11,00.html See related LifeSite coverage: http://www.lifesite.net/interim/2001/sept/01exitbag.html