SALEM -- U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft last month issued an order seeking to overturn Oregon’s law allowing physician-assisted suicide, and Oregon Right to Life is optimistic that Ashcroft’s decision will survive the expected battle in the courts.
      Oregon Right to Life, along with National Right to Life Committee, filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the state’s case against Ashcroft. U.S. District Judge Robert E. Jones on Nov. 20 heard arguments on whether Oregon should be allowed to exempt itself from federal laws regulating federally controlled substances. Jones that day ruled that a temporary restraining order blocking Ashcroft’s order should remain in effect until a later date.
      On Nov. 6, Ashcroft interpreted Drug Enforce-ment Agency regulations which state that federally controlled drugs can only be used for “legitimate medical purposes,” and not for assisted suicide.
     “We are disappointed, but not surprised, by Judge Jones’ decision to delay enforcement,” said Gayle Atterberry of Oregon Right to Life. “While we await a final decision, patients who are depressed, anxious and frightened about the dying process will continue to be a risk for assisted suicide.”
     The brief filed by the right-to-life groups argues that Ashcroft’s decision was fully justified because the federal government can choose to protect all human life through its law even if the State ofx Oregon has chosen not to do so.
     The brief also argues that the Ashcroft decision avoids constitutional problems by refusing to discriminate against terminally ill persons in enforcement of federal drug laws.
      Oregon is the only state that allows physician-assisted suicide. The law was approved twice by voters.