April 18, 2024
At least 172 deaths from Middel X in the Netherlands since 2015
At least 172 people have died after using suicide drug ‘ Middel X’ since 2015.
Last year, the 113 Suicide Prevention Foundation and GGD Amsterdam investigated how many people in the Netherlands died from using the powder. In their own words, this was the first time this was investigated.
The researchers found that the average age of those who died was 59.
‘These figures show that it is a very diverse group with people from all age groups, and that the group is not only made up of elderly people who make an informed choice,’ researcher Lizanne Schweren told NRC.
However, the largest age group was over 70, at 38 per cent.
Middel X Powder
It further found that the number of people who died by suicide with drug X increased every year between 2017 and 2021. Seven years ago, it was up to 10 people and by 2021 it was already 50. A year later, it was 42 cases.
‘Risk of copycat behaviour’
Based on forensic doctors’ autopsy reports, the researchers concluded, among other things, that 70 per cent, or 120 people, had a “psychiatric history”.
Examples such as depression or anxiety disorder were cited. In addition, 19 per cent reported a euthanasia request, which was rejected in more than half.
For the study, the number of deaths due to suicide powders from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2022 were looked at. It was based on information from forensic medical services and data from the Central Bureau of Statistics.
It involved data from almost all GGD regions in the Netherlands: 23 out of 25.
The study was published in January, but the 113 foundation did not seek publicity then for a reason. NRC first published about it last night.
‘Communicating about methods of suicide carries the risk of copycat behaviour,’ Schweren told the newspaper. The results were previously shared with the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, among others.
‘In the coverage of the trial around Middel X, we saw that it was assumed that there were no figures,’ the researcher explains. ‘That is not correct and we wanted to rectify that.’
Middel X
Middel X is a powder composed of several toxic substances used in the chemical industry.
Due to safety reasons, the name of the drug is not disclosed.
According to the central government, taking it has serious side effects. The death of someone taking the drug can last up to 40 hours.
The drug was introduced six years ago by Coöperatie Laatste Wil, an organisation that believes everyone has the right to determine their own end of life.
CLW presented the drug as humane, saying it is a means by which people can step out of life at a self-determined moment. After the drug was introduced six years ago, a run on it ensued.
There have been strong doubts about whether it actually leads to a humane death since the beginning.
On Monday, the public prosecutor’s office demanded prison sentences of up to 2.5 years, including a year on probation, against a group of suspects in the suicide Middel X case.
According to the prosecution, they assisted in dispensing the drug and would therefore be guilty of aiding suicide.
The seven defendants in this trial are all (have been) associated with the Last Will Cooperative.
Assisting suicide is punishable in the Netherlands unless very strict conditions are met.
For euthanasia, there must be unbearable suffering, no more treatment must be possible and the involvement of a doctor is required.
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