Not Dead Yet, a national disability-rights group which opposes legalization of assisted suicide, are deeply saddened by the deaths. Humphry's and Hemlock's track record belies their claim that they are only advocating certain death for people who are already dying anyway. And all along, Humphry and Hemlock have worked to educate the public on how to commit suicide. Suicide is the ninth most frequent cause of death in the United States, and the third most frequent for persons aged 15 to 24.
More people die each year from suicide than from homicide.
Satcher's call to action focuses on preventing suicide by addressing the factors that give rise to suicidality, while Humphry's focuses on preventing failed attempts by ignoring those factors and countering the factors that lead to survival. In Freedom to Die , Humphry argues that societal unwillingness to pay for the supports disabled and elderly people need to live lives that are meaningful to them will lead to legalization of assisted suicide. Given how many people do not wish to live in nursing homes, he suggests that offering a choice between a nursing home and death will save money. Suicide is not illegal. Nonetheless, it has long been discouraged by society.