Our Chapter has been asked to support a ballot initiative
called “Death with Dignity.’ The proponents and the opponents presented their
sides of the issue to The MA Chapter’s Board of Directors. The Board
discussed and discussed and then decided to withhold taking any action at the
April meeting, pending further research into the issue. My staff was
asked to talk with NASW Chapters in the three states (Oregon, Washington State
and Montana) that had passed the initiative into law, to see what the
ramifications were.
This is one of the many fascinating subjects that the
Chapter is often asked to take a position on. Initial review of “Social
Work Speaks”, the compendium of public policy statements that the National
Board and the Delegate Assembly has approved has no specific policy on the
subject, although several of the policy statements refer to a basic principle
of the profession. And that is to support an individual’s right to
choose, to support individual’s right for autonomy.
The MA Chapter Board will be taking up the issue at its June
2012 Board meeting. And I welcome our member’s views on the subject. You
can find out more about the issue by visiting the following websites: http://www.dignity2012.org/ (proponents)
and http://www.second-thoughts.org/
(opponents).
Thank you,
Carol J. Trust
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