should we pay for idiocy?

[ninwa]

http://www.news.com.au/national/addict-offered-second-chance-for-liver-transplant/story-e6frfkvr-1225834549165

TAXPAYERS may have to foot the bill for a dying drug user's flight to New Zealand for life-saving surgery.

Claire Murray, a 24-year-old mother-of-two, has been told by doctors that she only has months to live if she does not receive a liver transplant.

It would be her second transplant after years of drug abuse, including heroin and amphetamines

She has admitted to taking drugs after her first liver transplant last year - but has pledged to make the most of her second chance at life after being told she could not be considered for a second transplant in WA.

Health Minister Kim Hames said there were seven other people in WA who were waiting for their first liver transplant.

"It's important to remember we do not have enough donor organs in Western Australia, and someone has to die to provide a sick person with an organ. Last year, three people died while waiting for a liver transplant.

"We have offered to fly Ms Murray to New Zealand where she can be reviewed for a live person-to-person liver transplant.

[midas_touch]

Some people in this world really dont deserve the gift of life......

[*ryan777*]

definatly not, no more chances

in fact in these kinds of cases even the family of the addict doesnt want them to receive treatment like this becouse they know they will just fall back into old habits while an innocent person has to keep waiting

[the.watchman]

Some people in this world really dont deserve the gift of life......

Agreed, that's a really ridiculous case.
People like these don't really deserve another chance

[akira88]

This is ridiculous! Why shouldn't those in the waiting list be paid for first? Oh wait, they're not even paid for in the first place!

[Cthulhu]

Second chance at life? This is her 3rd chance.
What makes this drug abusing waste of space more deserving than the seven other people waiting for a liver. Because she's dying? She did this to herself. Because she's a mother? The children should be taken away from her if she is abusing drugs. She promised to stay off the drugs? I think its pretty obvious that after she had one liver transplant and abused that one she is untrustworthy. I'm sorry that she's dying but there are more deserving people out there who wont abuse their second chance at life.

[the.watchman]

Second chance at life? This is her 3rd chance.
What makes this drug abusing waste of space more deserving than the seven other people waiting for a liver. Because she's dying? She did this to herself. Because she's a mother? The children should be taken away from her if she is abusing drugs. She promised to stay off the drugs? I think its pretty obvious that after she had one liver transplant and abused that one she is untrustworthy. I'm sorry that she's dying but there are more deserving people out there who wont abuse their second chance at life.

Absolutely, to abuse the privilege she was given in the first place is ridiculous, then to come out asking for more is hypocritical!

[chocolate05]

How horrible! She doesn't deserve such a gift.. that second chance should go to someone more deserving.

[ninwa]

Second chance at life? This is her 3rd chance.
What makes this drug abusing waste of space more deserving than the seven other people waiting for a liver. Because she's dying? She did this to herself. Because she's a mother? The children should be taken away from her if she is abusing drugs. She promised to stay off the drugs? I think its pretty obvious that after she had one liver transplant and abused that one she is untrustworthy. I'm sorry that she's dying but there are more deserving people out there who wont abuse their second chance at life.

Just to clarify though, she's not going to be taking a donor liver - so she won't be butting in front of the 7 people on the waiting list. The issue is the WA govt using taxpayers' money to fund a flight to NZ so that her (living) family member can donate part of their liver to her.

But if she can afford drugs... surely she can afford a ~$500 flight ticket...?

[TrueLight]

no

[slothpomba]

I dont really think its fair we can pick or chose or the state has the right to deny people life or a liver or anything like that.

It's all about solidarity.

Then again she probably didnt pay much tax...and if i read right its just a plane ticket.. she should pay that herself.

It aint easy getting off drugs though, i see it happen all the time around here (westside never gets boring) and it really is hard to get off them.

*shrug* sorry im not coherent but im tireeeed.

[stonecold]

i hate reading/hearing about stuff like this.
people annoy me so much sometimes.
she definitely doesn't deserve it.
in the end, sadly it is her kids that will suffer the most.  

[*ryan777*]

i hate reading/hearing about stuff like this.
people annoy me so much sometimes.
she definitely doesn't deserve it.
in the end, sadly it is her kids that will suffer the most. 

[enwiabe]

$500 flight for living family member to give their liver... Yeah, I think that's a worthwhile investment in a "3rd-time-lucky" roll of the dice.

Nobody grows up wanting to be a drug addict. You have to have some compassion for the events in her life that may have lead her to drugs.

[Cthulhu]

But why should the Government pay for it enwiabe? It's not their fault this lady got addicted to drugs and ruined 2 perfectly good livers. I'm with ninwa; if she can afford to be taking drugs she can afford $500 to save her life.