Life takes its own course along different terrains: a smooth, stable stretch of road or a rough, rugged trail. However, both roads diverge towards a single extreme: a dead end. Although every life ends, its epilogue is different. There can be peaceful endings or a tragic end. For those trapped in the arms of chronic pain and illness, their stories do not have to end with the latter, but can move toward the former option through physician-assisted suicide. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Medical assistance in dying (MAID) is the consensual process of ending a person's life at their request, through the prescription or administration of a substance by a practitioner. While this procedure may seem horrific, these actions allow people in extreme pain to die in a dignified and peaceful manner. In June 2016, Canada joined countries such as the Netherlands and Belgium in legalizing assisted suicide (Ireland). As a new addition to the group, Canada lags far behind the achievements of its brother and sister countries. Canada's journey has just begun. There is still a long way to go before we can see the benefits that the legalization of assisted suicide will bring. More than 1,300 Canadians have ended their lives with medical assistance in dying. Despite this, accessing MAID has not been easy, as some communities lack doctors and nurses willing to help them end their lives. Additionally, healthcare facilities such as Catholic hospitals have the legal right to refuse assisted suicide. This is a growing problem that has caused enormous distress to the patient and family. For them, the government has not really given them full access to medically assisted suicide. Although Canada still faces issues with the current bill, assisted suicide should not be seen in a negative light as its legalization facilitates more benefits than losses. First, the abuse of assisted suicide will be prosecuted regardless of whether it is legal or not. Consider driving privileges. There are still people who park in prohibited zones, run red lights, or commit a mischievous crime like drunk driving. These law breakers are not thwarted by a simple parking ticket or prison sentence; that's why they had the audacity to cross the boundaries. This makes the extermination of such heinous crimes useless and absurd. Likewise, if assisted suicide were prohibited due to abuse, then all other privileges would be prohibited as well since no protection for such abuse is effective. Any restrictions or rules can be corrupted to harm others, so it is inevitable that MAID will not be exploited. On the other hand, even if assisted suicide were prohibited, its illegal practices would continue to persist. In fact, it is better to have protocols that allow assisted suicide, because doctors who operate illegally will be even more “less likely to admit to participating in such practices”. Despite the existence of law breakers, with or without prohibition, there will always be a majority group of people who will respect the laws. Therefore, regarding assisted suicide, it is more beneficial for it to exist legally along with strict guidelines rather than for it to be banned. Furthermore, the legalization of medically assisted suicide will not lead society to a slippery slope. In particular, this argument disputes that if the companyallows actions such as assisted suicide, then civilization will be led “down the slippery slope,” allowing other obscene acts such as involuntary euthanasia to take place. It is argued that the repercussions harm vulnerable groups, but there is evidence that there is no increased risk for the following: women, uninsured people, poor people, racial and ethnic minorities, minors and mature elderly people and especially people with non-terminal illnesses or physical disabilities. This was a study based on robust data from Oregon and the Netherlands: two places that allow physician-assisted suicide. In both jurisdictions, those who died from MAID were more likely to belong to groups that "enjoyed comparative social, economic, educational, professional, and other privileges." The existence of assisted suicide will not threaten vulnerable groups, as society is highly structured and organised; will not tolerate chaos. Ultimately, the slippery slope effect is not a concern for physician-assisted suicide. Finally, the frightening image of a family member, bedridden in agony and whose motivation to live has diminished, is a heartbreaking tragedy. For those trapped in the arms of chronic pain and illness, the image and thought of lasting slavery to illness is disheartening. For some, receiving palliative care, which aims to “alleviate suffering and improve quality of life,” is an inadequate solution. What people misunderstand is that for these people “it's not always the pain that makes life worth living. Being unconscious but still breathing for the rest of your life is nothing less than torture worse than death. Just as a terminally ill patient said in a qualitative study conducted in the United Kingdom that he wants to be a “useful member of society and at the same time eliminate pain”. They want to lose the pain and gain a new purpose, but unfortunately palliative care can only relieve the pain. Surprisingly, the opposition argues that physician-assisted suicide will hinder palliative care, while encouraging a quick fix: death. But in reality, spending on palliative care in Belgium has “grown steadily at an annual average of almost 10% since medically assisted dying was regulated.” In other words, palliative care and MAID can work side by side, providing patients with life-changing decisions. Both have the same goal: to alleviate the suffering of patients. Therefore, the image of a family member, bedridden in agony, is no longer a heartbreaking tragedy. Now it is a memory full of profound peace. Despite the flaws and imperfections of medical assistance in dying, it should be given the opportunity to live up to its purpose: to ensure Canadians die with dignity. In particular, abuse, slippery slope effects and the “impediment” of palliative care are not an obstacle to the legalization of assisted suicide. Ironically, the existence of assisted suicide constructively brings order and structure to society. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Overall, Canadian lives may still be driven on different terrains; both will diverge into one peaceful end. Physician-assisted suicide is the key to end-of-life freedom. Works Cited Ireland, K.J. (2016). A history of assisted suicide in Canada. Canadian Journal of Disability Studies, 5(3), 61-80.Schuklenk, U., Van Delden, J.J.M., Downie, J., McLean, S., Upshur, R., & Weinstock, D. (2017). Group report, 45(4), 14-23.