Political Blog: Lethal Injection

The issue of Capital Punishment via lethal injection is causing a stir all the way up to the Supreme Court. They agreed to hear a case from three death-row inmates in Oklahoma that challenges the use of midazolam, the first of three administered drugs.

The midozolam is meant to induce a coma-like state. It is then followed up by rocuronium bromide, a paralytic, and then finished by potassium chloride to stop the heart.

The challenge comes from the claim that the midozolam isn't capable of fulling inducing the comatose state. Last year, on three separate cases, the executions encountered issues. In April, a man regained complete consciousness, which caused the White House to order a review.

The case the inmates make is that the use of midozolam is unconstitutional as it constitutes cruel and unsual punishment. They turn to the three recent cases and point out its flaws. Additionally, the European Union and many pharmaceutical companies recently banned the previously used drug, sodium piothental, and the choice to use midozolam was a scrambled effort on Correctional's part.

Opponents say the drug is entirely safe. In the vast majority of cases, midozolam has caused no complications. In fact, the review of the man who regained consciousness turned out to be the fault of a misplaced IV. There is no concrete evidence that indicates that midozolam doesn't work. Additionally, the inmates will likely be granted an extension of their dates while the case is under review.

In my opinion, Capital Punishment is all wrong. Using drugs to end a life is still murder. My opponents would say that due process has resulted in a death sentence, but I don't think death should have been an option from the beginning. I fully support the review of this and all drugs used for Capital Punishment. I hope they find out that no drug is perfect, and therefore without a viable option for the death, they ban Capital Punishment entirely.