MATT STEWART
Last updated15:28, July 13 2017
STUFF
The Painless Path website uses a Stuff picture of supporters protesting outside the assisted suicide case of Wellington euthanasia advocate Susan Austen. The site purports to sell the suicide drug Nembutol.
Pro-euthanasia lobby group Exit International is warning its members off a scam website, based in the Ukraine, which is fleecingthe elderly by selling the popular and costly suicide drug Nembutal, which never arrives.
Those falling for the scam are mostly elderly people, many in poor health and with little internet savvy.
They are being gouged about $1100 - the price of a 25gm dose of the drug - and are too frightened to go to the authorities to complain about buying an illegal substance.
GLENN CAMPBELL
Exit International founder Philip Nitschke says scam sites claiming to sell Nembutal are on the rise as the elderly increasingly look for end of life choices.
Exit founder Philip Nitschke said about three of its members were in contact every week about the ripoff as the market for the lethal Class C controlled drug, used in assisted suicide, grows worldwide.
READ MORE: * Jury trial over assisted suicide case to proceed in Wellington for Susan Austen * Elderly importers of lethal drug used in assisted suicide are getting pinged by Customs * Wellington woman Annemarie Treadwell's death trigger for Police euthanasia furore * We know where you've been, police tell 76-year-old who attended euthanasia meeting
The Painless Path website uses aStuffpicture of supporters protesting outside the assisted suicide trial of Wellington euthanasia advocate Susan Austen.
STUFF
Susan Austen leaving Wellington District Court after an appearance in May.
Austen, 66, a Lower Hutt teacher, was charged in October2016with having twice imported pentobarbitone, more commonly known by its trade name Nembutal. In high doses, it causes death by respiratory arrest.
Nitschke was gobsmacked the site offered cheaper rates for teenagers and said the use of a news photo featuring euthanasia lobbyists in genuine protest was perfect for a scam site as it appeared credible and featured people from an older demographic.
Exit's handbook lists a handful of legitimate sites in Mexico, Peru, Venezuela and China but Nitschke says there are nearly 100 scam sites, a number that is growing in parallel with the rising global demand for the drug as an end-of-life option.
ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF
The original Dominion Post photo of supporters of Susan Austen outside the Wellington District Court used by the bogus Ukrainian website Painless Path.
"Luckilythey don't sell anything, just take your money. We'll be alerting members ... the steady growth in internet scams over the past decade is an indication of the growing global market in this drug ," he said.
The handbook had been updated to list bogus sites.
Nitschke said sites like Painless Path relied on those who fell for the scam being too frightened or sick to report it to the authorities.
"This is a vulnerable group who can hardly go to authorities saying I lost money buying this illegal drug. They'd be admitting to breaking the law."
The maximum penalty for importing a Class C drug is eight years' imprisonment.
-Stuff
See more here:
Dodgy scam site uses Kiwi pro-euthanasia protest imagery to sell bogus suicide drugs - Stuff.co.nz
- Euthanasia - The New York Times [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Euthanasia suicide mercy-killing right-to-die physician ... [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2016]
- California Euthanasia Laws - FindLaw [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2016]
- Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide & Health Care Decisions Part 1 ... [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2016]
- Euthanasia | Define Euthanasia at Dictionary.com [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2016]
- Euthanasia and assisted suicide - NHS Choices [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2016]
- Patients Rights Council [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2016]
- Assisted Suicide - Information on right-to-die and ... [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2016]
- Euthanasia - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- Euthanasia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Euthanasia | Define Euthanasia at Dictionary.com [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2016]
- Euthanasia and assisted suicide - Arguments - NHS Choices [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2016]
- Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide - All sides [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2016]
- Euthanasia - New World Encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2016]
- Euthanasia Debate | Debate.org [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2016]
- Action T4 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2016]
- Free euthanasia Essays and Papers - 123helpme [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2016]
- Euthanasia in the United States - Wikipedia, the free ... [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2016]
- Belgium euthanasia: First child dies - CNN.com [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2016]
- First child dies by legal euthanasia in Belgium - CBS News [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2016]
- Voluntary euthanasia - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- Taking Life: Humans, by Peter Singer - Utilitarian [Last Updated On: December 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2016]
- Gentle Journey Phoenix Arizona In Home Pet Euthanasia [Last Updated On: December 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 25th, 2016]
- Euthanasia - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: January 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 14th, 2017]
- Half a Life (Star Trek: The Next Generation) - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 21st, 2017]
- Animal euthanasia - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2017]
- Doctor 'asked family to hold down struggling euthanasia victim' - Catholic Herald Online [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Mass euthanasia rumors prompt adoptions en masse at animal control shelter in Georgia - fox6now.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Once euthanasia is voluntary, it will become irresistible. Just ask the Dutch - Catholic Herald Online (blog) [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Doctor who asked dementia patient's family to hold her down while she gave lethal injection cleared - The Independent [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- New Law in Taiwan Halts Euthanasia of Stray Animals - Seeker - Seeker [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Dog food recalled after discovery of euthanasia drug - Detroit Free Press [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- County animal shelter aggressively working to cut euthanasia rate - ABC15 Arizona [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Taiwan bans euthanasia of stray animals - Yahoo - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Euthanasia drug found in dog food prompts recall - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Euthanasia reform moves forward in the senate - Deseret News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Dog food recalled after euthanasia drug found in it - CNN [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Imagining a future with compulsory euthanasia - MercatorNet [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Bill to Ban Gas Chamber Euthanasia Moves to the Senate - Good4Utah [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Wheeling-based Evanger's recalls dog food over fears it may contain euthanasia drug - Chicago Tribune [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Mary Kills People Promotes Euthanasia - National Right to Life News [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Dutch doctors against euthanasia for advanced dementia patients - NL Times [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Canadian study touts euthanasia's cost 'benefit' - Brnow [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- New euthanasia debate in Spain - BioEdge [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Pug Dies After Eating Dog Food Contaminated With Euthanasia Drug - Huffington Post [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Oral submission on voluntary euthanasia | Scoop News - Scoop.co.nz (press release) [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- MP's personal story behind euthanasia support | Queensland Times - The Queensland Times [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Could laser therapy help dog owners avoid euthanasia? - 12news.com [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Labour will not introduce private members bill on euthanasia - Scoop.co.nz (press release) [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Speaker receives citizens' initiative on legalisation of euthanasia - YLE News [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Canadian doctors are struggling with euthanasia - National Right to Life News [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Another company issues recall after euthanasia drug found in dog food - KATU [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- 220 Dutch doctors take out ad to oppose euthanasia for patients with dementia - National Right to Life News [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Medical Council strikes out against euthanasia: 'Patients' positions in a state of flux' - MaltaToday [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Euthanasia's march Down Under - Catholic Herald Online (blog) [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Law students accuse Medical Council of twisting their euthanasia arguments - MaltaToday [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- More dog food recalled because it may contain euthanasia drug - Q13 FOX [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Hanson, Hinch launch passionate arguments for euthanasia law - Starts at 60 [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- FDA confirms euthanasia agent pentobarbital in dog food | Food ... - Food Safety News [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Pauline Hanson and Derryn Hinch get riled up about euthanasia - Starts at 60 [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Oregon's Euthanasia Bill Is Intentionally Ambiguous - National Review [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Brigit Forsyth on euthanasia, internet dating and whether she'd consider Likely Lads revival - ChronicleLive [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- Conservative leadership hopefuls argue drugs, euthanasia, and fiscal policy in Langley - Langley Advance [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- New German film addresses Nazi child 'euthanasia' - euronews [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Oregon's euthanasia bill awash with 'ambiguity' - OneNewsNow [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- How Did A Euthanasia Drug End Up In Dog Food? | Care2 Causes - Care2.com [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Adoption center works to reduce euthanasia - The Dominion Post [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Police stance was to not answer questions over details of euthanasia checkpoint - Stuff.co.nz [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- WA election: Euthanasia, Safe Schools hot topics as Liberal, Labor leaders face Christian voters - ABC Online [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Lessons from indigenous wisdom in the euthanasia debate - MercatorNet [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Quebec Moves Toward Euthanasia for Alzheimer's - National Review [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Susan Dale Austen appears in court facing charges relating to ... - Stuff.co.nz [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Once Euthanasia Voluntary, It'll Become Irresistible, Ask the Dutch; Real Humility; and More! - National Catholic Register (blog) [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- APA Position on Medical Euthanasia - Psychiatric Times [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Should Quebec's Alzheimer's patients be eligible for euthanasia? - BioEdge [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Pike County animal shelter reduces euthanasia rates - WYMT News (press release) [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- 45 Rescued Cats and Dogs Are Facing Euthanasia But One Woman is Fighting to Build Them Shelter - One Green Planet [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Minnesota Euthanasia Advocates Introduce Legislation to Legalize ... - LifeNews.com [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Choice is an Illusion President Margaret Dore States Hawaii ... - EconoTimes [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Italy: tetraplegic DJ stirs up euthanasia debate by assisted suicide in Switzerland - euronews [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]