# Why isn’t heroin used for lethal injections? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [October 30, 2015, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159 "2015-10-30T06:14:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Airk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Airk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airk)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/21 "2015-10-30T18:44:40Z")
Not generally in favor of the death penalty, but kindof agree with **neuroman** - my first thought was “what about carbon monoxide?” but inert gas suffocation sounds better. I find assertions about “The Left” sortof curious, since they seem to be the ones behind the idea that government should help make people’s lives worth living. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/22 "2015-10-30T18:45:48Z")
I’m pretty much opposed to the way the death penalty is imposed (randomly, capriciously, and too often wrongly). But when I read (in Cecil’s column) that it took a convicted murderer 24 minutes to die, I have to wonder how long it took his victim to die. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/23 "2015-10-30T18:57:17Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > I’m pretty much opposed to the way the death penalty is imposed (randomly, capriciously, and too often wrongly). But when I read (in Cecil’s column) that it took a convicted murderer 24 minutes to die, I have to wonder how long it took his victim to die. Would stretching out the time or increasing the pain of death somehow bring the victim back to life? If we are doing this purely for personal satisfaction, then surely we would need to increase the pain and/or the time of execution over time as our minds become numb to the effects. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/24 "2015-10-30T19:32:30Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Would stretching out the time or increasing the pain of death somehow bring the victim back to life? If we are doing this purely for personal satisfaction, then surely we would need to increase the pain and/or the time of execution over time as our minds become numb to the effects. I think the point is that if the killer didn’t care, why should we? Not that we should increase the pain just because. Personally, I’m opposed the the death penalty for more structural reasons…for someone convicted of a murder such that the death penalty is invoked, while I don’t think we should find the most painful method available, I don’t really care all that much about the feelings of the murderer. S/he didn’t obviously care that much about the feelings of the victim, after all. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/25 "2015-10-30T19:42:28Z")
> [@waddlingeagle](#): > > One wonders why we are so solicitous of the comfort of someone who burned a family alive, but whatever… > > Frankly, old age is not for sissies. If you think throwing up because of heroin OD is unendurable, try being old. Throwing up is the least of it as your body slowly ceases to function, everything begins to hurt, and your mind starts doing funny things. Indeed, old age is a far crueler punishment than any method of execution in use today. So you’re saying: make 'em grow old and die in prison. Me too. Like you say, that’s a worse punishment than execution. So why are you mad at us lefties for preferring that alternative? ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/26 "2015-10-30T19:43:45Z")
> [@XT](#): > > I think the point is that if the killer didn’t care, why should we? Not that we should increase the pain just because. Personally, I’m opposed the the death penalty for more structural reasons…for someone convicted of a murder such that the death penalty is invoked, while I don’t think we should find the most painful method available, I don’t really care all that much about the feelings of the murderer. S/he didn’t obviously care that much about the feelings of the victim, after all. Exactly. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/27 "2015-10-30T19:45:56Z")
> [@neuroman](#): > > So, Cecil points out good reasons not to use heroin. > > I wonder if we will see US states switch to inert gas asphyxiation (e.g. [Inert gas asphyxiation - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inert_gas_asphyxiation)). This seems like a good alternative for a number of reasons. > > 1. Painless. My understanding is that the subject, deprived of oxygen, slowly slips into narcolepsy, sleep, and then death. It also plays on one of the physiological quirks of the human body. Namely, when we suffocate, it’s the increasing carbon dioxide concentration in our blood that makes our bodies and minds freak out. In other words, it’s not lack of oxygen, but rather the inability to get rid of CO2 that causes the issue, presumably to cause a large inhalation to get more oxygen as well. In just about every situation humans are in, they’re pretty much one in the same… except the case of inert gas asphyxiation, where we can exhale the CO2 with no problem, and just don’t get any oxygen on the inward breaths. So from the perspective of the dying person, there’s no struggle for breath (i.e. to get rid of CO2), and everything’s peachy until you run out of oxygen. I’m personally aghast that we’re still using such slipshod methods as lethal injections when a better alternative is available, with little of the possibility for error or potential foreign interference, like we see with lethal injection (or at least as the error part goes, with electrocution). States could significantly decrease problems with botched executions, as well as have much more humane and cheaper executions in the bargain. There’s no real downside other than the lack of execution theater that goes with something like lethal injection. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/28 "2015-10-30T20:09:29Z")
How about this then: We execute people by casting 'em into an industrial-size wood chipper. Fast and painless – or at worst, it’ll only hurt for a half a second or so. Assuming we cast the condemned in head-first. Thus, between the blood-thirsty make-em-suffer sadists and the wimpy squeamish bleeding-heart wusses, all that remains to be debated is whether to throw 'em in head first or feet first! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/29 "2015-10-30T20:17:12Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > Exactly. Why should society aspire to be more humane than those who kill? ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/30 "2015-10-30T20:17:46Z")
> [@UncleFred](#): > > I hate to give anyone ideas, but this article makes me wonder; Why not just implement sudden death at some random time while the subject is asleep in his cell? It could be on an open-ended date. “They never know what hit them.” I suppose there’s an argument that it would be cruel and unusual punishment - going to sleep every night, not knowing if “Tonight’s the night.” Spreading it out over, say, a couple month’s window might reduce that effect. That strategy just leads you into the Unexpected Hanging Paradox. (One version of which is that the prisoner concludes, correctly, that he can never be hanged, and the executioner is stymied. In most tellings, however, the hangman comes and hangs him anyway.) ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/31 "2015-10-30T20:25:45Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Why should society aspire to be more humane than those who kill? Quite obviously we do, since we are having this debate and since society has actually tried to make executions more humane and less painful…certainly less than the victims suffered. [QUOTE=RTFirefly] So you’re saying: make 'em grow old and die in prison. Me too. Like you say, that’s a worse punishment than execution. [/QUOTE] That’s pretty much where I’m at on the death penalty. I feel we should get rid of it, as a society, and basically punish those who so cross the line with life in prison…and if they REALLY cross the line and are dangers to themselves and others, life in prison without the possibility of parole and solitary confinement with 1 hour of exercise daily in a fenced in yard being carefully watched. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/32 "2015-10-31T06:33:21Z")
> [@protoboard](#): > > Americans would probably feel like that was too kind. We’re a pretty bloodthirsty group of people and most would probably rather they suffer a bit. Stop being a **Der Trihs** copycat. kthx. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/33 "2015-10-31T09:38:08Z")
Well of course it is. Although they are mostly self administered and accidental. ---
**Author:** ![waddlingeagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/4da419/32.png) [@waddlingeagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waddlingeagle)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/34 "2015-10-31T15:06:53Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Wow. You disagree? Or the truth shocks you? The Left: Advocates killing babies and elderly, mostly for economic reasons. Thinks people are a burden and drain on society. Advocates socialist programs which punish those who earn money and give it to those who think they deserve it more. Opposes basic civil rights such as freedom of expression, freedom of worship, the right to defend yourself, etc. Protects the ‘rights’ of criminals who actually kill people, often in horrible, unspeakable ways. Yep. Sounds like a death cult to me. ---
**Author:** ![John\_W.Kennedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_w.kennedy/32/1031_2.png) [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/35 "2015-10-31T16:49:56Z")
Is this board moderated or isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/36 "2015-10-31T18:57:27Z")
> [@waddlingeagle](#): > > The Left are a death cult that wants to kill the innocent while saving murderers. They have an inverted value system that justifies organized robbery while punishing people who actually work. There is really something wrong with these people – and something even more wrong that the rest of us tolerate it. > [@waddlingeagle](#): > > You disagree? Or the truth shocks you? > > The Left: Advocates killing babies and elderly, mostly for economic reasons. Thinks people are a burden and drain on society. Advocates socialist programs which punish those who earn money and give it to those who think they deserve it more. Opposes basic civil rights such as freedom of expression, freedom of worship, the right to defend yourself, etc. Protects the ‘rights’ of criminals who actually kill people, often in horrible, unspeakable ways. > > Yep. Sounds like a death cult to me. **Moderator Warning** **waddlingeagle** , this is an official warning for trolling. Political rants of this kind belong in the Pit. Don’t do this again. Colibri Comments Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2015, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/37 "2015-10-31T18:58:50Z")
> [@John\_W.Kennedy](#): > > Is this board moderated or isn’t it? Yes, but you need to report posts that may need moderator attention. We don’t read everything. ---
**Author:** ![yawuntz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a5b964/32.png) [@yawuntz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yawuntz)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/38 "2015-11-01T02:06:41Z")
**Why isn’t heroin used for lethal injections?** a) It might feel good. b) It might lead to addiction. You can’t be too careful. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/39 "2015-11-01T04:50:54Z")
[QUOTE=Cecil Adams] I can imagine a defender of capital punishment arguing that this is all liberal handwringing and that the alternative, namely life in prison without chance of parole, is itself cruel (if hardly unusual). [/QUOTE] Dear Cece, At least under some circumstances, it is argued by opponents. [http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/85499717.html](http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/85499717.html) > [@](#): > > The Iowa Supreme Court says a woman serving a life sentence for the 1993 slaying of a retired librarian in Waterloo can challenge her sentence as cruel and unusual punishment. > > Ruthann Veal was 14 when she was charged as an adult with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Catherine Haynes. That was just one of the many hits I got when searching for “life sentence cruel”. Perhaps you may want to write an addendum. ---
**Author:** ![alphareign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee59a6/32.png) [@alphareign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphareign)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159/40 "2015-11-01T10:36:17Z")
Why not just use a combination of propofol, oxymorphone, and potassium cyanide? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-heroin-used-for-lethal-injections/736159.md?page=3)