Death With Dignity Act: Washington residents have received life-ending medication

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At least 28 Washington residents have received life-ending medication from their physicians and of those, 11 have taken the pills, according to data tracking the Death With Dignity Act, which voters approved last year and took effect in March.

"There is a lot of controversy on this law," said Ann Watkins, a 68-year-old cancer sufferer from Tacoma who recently received the drugs from her oncologist. "It's the best thing that's happened in this state for a long time."

An admitted "coward when it comes to pain," Watkins -- who believes she has between two and six months to live -- joined supporters of the law on Tuesday in announcing results thus far.

Of approximately 28 patients who have received the drugs (a 30-day lag in reporting means that there may be several more), 16 achieved "a peaceful death," according to Compassion & Choices of Washington, an advocacy group that pushed for passage of the initiative.

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28 have asked to end lives under 'Death With Dignity Act'