Talk of euthanasia encouraging suicides, conservative lobby group says

NZ Herald 2 November 2016
Family First Comment: McCoskrie said any discussion of suicide should focus on prevention. “In complete contrast, this inquiry is initiated and is driven by a desire to promote assisted suicide. You don’t discourage suicide by assisting suicide.”
A conservative lobby group’s claim that Parliament could be encouraging suicides just by discussing euthanasia is flawed, an MP says.
Bob McCoskrie, the national director for Family First, said today that suicides and attempted suicides appeared to peak every time Parliament debated a law change around assisted dying.
He acknowledged there was no scientific basis for his theory and that other factors could have contributed to the rise in suicides in 1995, 2003 and 2012, when Parliament considered bills or proposed bills on euthanasia.
“But it cannot ruled out that there is risk related to the increased publicity given to the idea of euthanasia and assisted suicide.”
McCoskrie made the comments to a select committee which is investigating public attitudes to voluntary euthanasia and deciding whether it should be legalised in New Zealand.
McCoskrie said any discussion of suicide should focus on prevention.
“In complete contrast, this inquiry is initiated and is driven by a desire to promote assisted suicide. You don’t discourage suicide by assisting suicide.”
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