“The federal appeals court in St. Louis ruled yesterday that officials in Arkansas can force a prisoner on death row to take antipsychotic medication to make him sane enough to execute. Without drugs, the prisoner, Charles Laverne Singleton, could not be put to death under a United States Supreme court decision that prohibits the execution of the insane” (Liptak, p. 1). I agree with this ruling because “Mr. Singleton’s mental health began to deteriorate in 1987” (Liptak, p. 2) after his crime was committed. Therefore, he was of sound mind, tried and convicted of murdering the grocery clerk in 1979. Furthermore, the Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed his conviction. It wasn’t until 1987 when Mr. Singleton began showing signs of mental deterioration.
“To what extent can a government take invasive, involuntary action using medical personnel who are sworn to heal, save and treat when the result of their medical application and experience is not healing, treating and saving but instead has the result of causing executions?” (Liptak, p.1). As a future nurse, I ethically am sworn to heal. Understandably, in this situation it can contradict what I stand for. However, I know that treating Mr. Singleton will be my ultimate goal regardless of his death. For example, in the case of a terminal cancer patient, I would not deny medical treatment just because the person will inevitably die. So, in the case of Mr. Singleton, I would not see him as a “prisoner” but as a “patient” and still implement his treatment for mental illness. As well, if it is the best interest of the patient to receive treatment, then I will follow through with treatment. I realize in the end Mr. Singleton will be executed but, again, I have to treat him in the same manner as I would any other patient I come in contact with. As a medical professional it would be unethical for me to be prejudiced against Mr. Singleton by not giving treatment just because he is a prisoner.
In conclusion, we must understand the Mr. Singleton’s guilt is not what is in question. He has been tried in a court of law and was found guilty and convicted of his crime. The question here is whether his conviction should be enacted because he is now mentally disabled. Medications have been proven to help; “Indeed, the purpose of administering antipsychotic medication is to allow the defendant to think and communicate rationally so he can fairly participate in the legal proceeding and assist his counsel” (Olson, p.118). Finally, Mr. Singleton’s mental disabilities began to show while he was imprisoned and ethically doctors and nurses must treat every patient without prejudice.