Ohio Delays All 2015 Executions As It Tries to Find Drugs
I don't intend this to turn into a debate about whether or not executions should be legal. There are a million discussions on the Internet about that already, and that's best left for a forum like PRSI. I posted here because this topic is a current event here in the USA and I have a burning question that I haven't been able to find a satisfactory answer to.
Basically, I don't understand why so many states are having difficulty finding a successful "drug cocktail" to be used for lethal executions. To be clear, I'm 100% familiar with the typical reason stated in the reported stories, which is that drug companies either don't make these specific drugs any more, or are unwilling to sell them to the state because they know they will be used for that purpose.
However, that reason doesn't mesh well with me given other facts. For example, there are states that have "dignified death" laws that allow us to end a life, voluntarily, using some sort of drug cocktail. I assume the drug cocktail for voluntary end of life would be humane and effective. So why don't the states just use that? Why are they trying all new, untested and weird drug combos that result in inhumane and botched executions?
Also, aren't there many, many painkillers that the states have access to that result in death from overdose? Why not inject a lethal dose of morphine?
Does anyone know? I'm looking for a factual answer, or even some sound theories, but not a debate on the merits of executions in general. Like I said, there are already many other places to debate that.
I don't intend this to turn into a debate about whether or not executions should be legal. There are a million discussions on the Internet about that already, and that's best left for a forum like PRSI. I posted here because this topic is a current event here in the USA and I have a burning question that I haven't been able to find a satisfactory answer to.
Basically, I don't understand why so many states are having difficulty finding a successful "drug cocktail" to be used for lethal executions. To be clear, I'm 100% familiar with the typical reason stated in the reported stories, which is that drug companies either don't make these specific drugs any more, or are unwilling to sell them to the state because they know they will be used for that purpose.
However, that reason doesn't mesh well with me given other facts. For example, there are states that have "dignified death" laws that allow us to end a life, voluntarily, using some sort of drug cocktail. I assume the drug cocktail for voluntary end of life would be humane and effective. So why don't the states just use that? Why are they trying all new, untested and weird drug combos that result in inhumane and botched executions?
Also, aren't there many, many painkillers that the states have access to that result in death from overdose? Why not inject a lethal dose of morphine?
Does anyone know? I'm looking for a factual answer, or even some sound theories, but not a debate on the merits of executions in general. Like I said, there are already many other places to debate that.