There was a somewhat obscure organization that promoted end-of-life suicide using phenobarbital. It was called the Hemlock Society. It's now called End of Life Choices. The Hemlock Society was founded in 1980, however it was inspired by similar organizations that date back to Euthanasia Educational Council, which formed in 1967.
People with metastasized cancer that has spread to the brain, or someone with severe trigeminal neuralgia - no one should be required to endure a life with pain, if they choose not to. Not if it's for 20 years, not if it's 20 minutes.
One of my relatives was a member of the Hemlock Society. They died in hospice at age 93 the afternoon that the family called to have them admitted, and kept three phenobarbital pills in a bottle in the medicine cabinet "just in case." My relative didn't end up needing to use them, but it comforted them to know that they were there. It comforted me to know that my relative had prepared for the possibility of needing it. I don't think I could stand thinking of them dying in pain.
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