Mensen filmen dat ze zelfdodingspoeder innemen: ‘Je mag ernaast zitten en het zweet van voorhoofd vegen’
Mensen stellen documenten op, zetten hun handtekening eronder en filmen zelfs hoe ze zelfdodingspoeder uit éigen wil innemen. Allemaal om te voorkomen dat hun dierbaren die achterblijven later problemen krijgen met de politie. Zeker 2400 mensen zouden het poeder thuis hebben liggen.
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Automatic translation:
People filmed taking suicide powder: 'You may sit next to it and wipe the sweat from forehead'
People draw up documents, sign them and even film how they take suicide powder of their own free will. All to prevent their loved ones who stay behind from getting into trouble with the police later. At least 2400 people are thought to have the powder at home.
These are members of Coöperatie Laatste Wil, which introduced the suicide powder a few years ago, but ultimately decided not to sell it. According to the association, a survey conducted last year showed that about 100 of those 2,400 people were also planning to use the drug within a year.
Sold out of idealism
The powder, also known as "Agent X," is the subject of much debate following the arrest last week of Eindhoven resident Alex S. (24). He is suspected of having sold the powder to hundreds of people, at least six of whom would have ended their lives with it. Assisting suicide is punishable by law. The man from Eindhoven, whose family did not want to comment, would have sold the drug mainly out of idealism and to help people.
The persecution of relatives is exactly what people want to avoid if they intend to use the powder. This is confirmed by Jos van Wijk, chairman of interest group Coöperatie Laatste Wil. "We advise our members to draw up a document that makes it clear that their loved ones have not helped and that it is their own choice. And best of all, film with a cell phone how the capsules are taken."
Van Wijk knows plenty of stories of people who don't want loved ones to be at their deaths for fear of getting into trouble. "I always find that very sad to hear. Because it's just allowed. You can sit next to them and you can wipe the sweat from their forehead. You are just not allowed to give the glass of water with which someone takes the capsules with powder."
Pills through the yogurt
Anyone who goes a step further risks prosecution. That happened to Albert Heringa. In 2008 he helped his sick and nearly blind mother of 99 years to die by mixing a lethal amount of pills through her yogurt. He was sentenced to six months probation, but is still fighting that at the European Court of Human Rights.
"At the time it was perfectly clear that it was also his mother's choice to die, but still the prosecution persisted," says Martin Buijsen, professor of health law at Erasmus School of Law. He therefore understands well that statements are put on paper or films are made. "If only for the peace of mind of the person taking the powder. You don't want to put others in trouble."
Investigation started anyway
The Justice Department's investigation began in May after a woman from Best ingested the powder. In any case, she had drawn up a document to make it clear that it was a deliberate and personal choice. Nevertheless, an investigation was started that eventually led to the suspect in Eindhoven.
Buijsen understands this: "Of course you don't know whether other buyers have thought carefully about the consequences when they took the powder. Because that, of course, is why euthanasia is reserved for doctors. If you facilitate someone's end, it must be done with great care. And of course you can't guarantee that when selling over the Internet."
Buying powder on impulse
There are several stories about young people who buy the powder on a whim via the Internet. As 19-year-old Ximena from Uden possibly did in 2018. Her parents also question the promise that the suicide powder leads to a quick and painless death.
At Coöperatie Laatste Wil, they ask those left behind to fill out a form to see how the suicide went. "I haven't heard anything in that regard about it being painful," says chairman Jos van Wijk. "These experiences teach that after ingestion it takes about 25 minutes for someone to go into a coma and an hour and a half for someone to die."
He does regularly hear, however, that next of kin are confronted with a police investigation: those present are interviewed, belongings are confiscated and the body is examined. Van Wijk: "You can have prepared everything very thoroughly, but they proceed in the same way as in the case of a crime."
Blood and urine taken
This is partly confirmed by the police and the judiciary. An autopsy doctor and a forensic investigator look at whether someone has died a non-natural death. If so, indeed, those present are sometimes heard. An autopsy of the body rarely takes place, but blood or urine is taken to confirm that someone has taken a certain drug.
"An event like this is drastic and we always try to be extremely respectful of the situation," a police spokesperson let us know.
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