EXPENSES FOR STATE-ASSISTED SUICIDE EXCEEDS $33,000.00

US: Michael Ross wants to die. He wants the state of Connecticut in the USA, to kill him.

The state is only too willing to oblige.

The state-assisted suicide by lethal injection is scheduled for 2:01 AM on January 26, 2005.

To prepare for Connecticut's first state-sanctioned killing in 45 years, the state Department of Corrections has spent more than US$33,000 on such items as training personnel, drugs (poison), intravenous catheters and tubing, portable restrooms, mobile offices, lighting and curtains for the witness observation room.

Training for the state-assisted suicide has begun. Several people not employed by the corrections department have been trained to play a role in the state-assisted suicide. Six corrections employees and six alternate corrections employees have been screened, selected, trained and counselled to assist in the state-assisted suicide, at a cost of $1,400.00.

Three drugs (poison) - sodium thiopental, pancuronium bromide and potassium chloride will be administered in a 3-step process to Ross' veins. A fourth drug, midazolam (sedative) has also been purchased, just in case officials need to calm Ross' anxiety associated with his state-assisted suicide. Four catheters and the drugs (poison) needed for the state-assisted suicide have cost the state $947.00. A New Jersey-based health care company provided the medical equipment that will introduce an intravenous line into Ross' veins for $363.00.

The correction department is gearing up outside the prison, procuring $3,600.00 in signs to indicate state property where trespassing is prohibited, such as parking areas and the site of a planned media center. A Massachusetts-based electrical distributor has been paid $4,875.00 for lighting equipment - indoors and outdoors.

Demonstrators (pro and anti) will have access to amenities on the night of the state-assisted suicide, including rented portable toilets that cost $610.00. Two mobile offices have been rented to provide heated shelter for the demonstrators at a cost of $1,823.00 which includes installation and removal.

A staffed ambulance will be in the area for 12 hours at a cost of $1,800.00. This is a necessary item because a large number of people is expected to be in the area.

Burgundy-coloured polyester curtains that will outfit the small room where witnesses will stand to watch the state-assisted suicide, cost $1,000.00. But the number of witnesses has had to be reduced, due to space limitations.

Travel expenses attributed to training for the state-assisted suicide is the most expensive item, totaling $12,802.19. The least expensive item is $60.00 to affix standard correction department patches and badges to six uniforms. Enlarging photographs of several correctional facilities, with some framing, totals $965.00.

God Bless America - The World Role Model for Human Rights.

By ACADP 17 January 05

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