NRLC: The latest figures for Oregon show that cases of assisted suicide have gone from 16 in 1998 to 71 in 2011, an increase of 450% (see chart). Switzerland has seen a 700% increase in assisted suicides over the same period. Swiss authorities have recorded a steady rise of assisted suicides in recent years, from 43 in 1998 to 297 in 2009. Earlier figures are not available, even though assisted suicide has been legal in Switzerland since 1942.
The experience of both countries demonstrates that when assisted suicide is legalised there will inevitably be incremental extension. A major factor fuelling this increase is suicide contagion – the so-called Werther effect. This is particularly dangerous when assisted suicides are backed by celebrities as they are here and given high media profile as they are frequently by the BBC.
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