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Old 07-17-2009, 07:52 PM
tammyleeb tammyleeb is offline
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Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,389
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kelliiii View Post
Well, what about Anna Nicole Smith? Very similar to both Elvis and MJ, and according to FL law, if there is evidence that anyone illegally supplied Smith with the prescription drugs blamed for her death, Florida could press for charges as high as first-degree murder. Florida law says people can be charged with murder if they illegally provide a drug that ends up killing someone. Another possible charge could be manslaughter by culpable negligence.

While I agree that MJ, Elvis and Anna were all adults, weren't stupid (although Anna did a really good job acting that way), and most likely knew they were doing something illegal, shouldn't people supplying illegal material (or as an example, buy, load and educate a "russian roulletter" on how to use the gun and then stand buy and watch them use it, click after click after click) be held to a higher level of copabillity? We currently do the same thing with drunk drivers -- although most drivers don't drink, get in a car, and goes out looking for someone to kill -- we still treat them as murders. Why should these people be treated any differently?

I agree with marilynk on the whole personal responsibility, but I believe there is a social and professional responsibility at work also....as in, just because you are a doctor and can write a perscription, doesn't men your responsibility ends once it is filled.
I think its a fine line. My brother died in Florida about six months ago. It was an accidental prescription overdose. He died at the age of 49....way too young. I would never think of holding his doctor responsible for it. He made his own choices. He had issues with drugs off and on for years. There isn't a shadow of a doubt in my mind that it was accidental. Neither my brother or his doctors meant for it to lead to his death. With that being said, I believe you have to take responsibility for what you put into your body.
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