On November 6, 2001, Attorney General John Ashcroft issued a ruling to enforce federal law, prohibiting Oregon doctors from using their federal licenses to prescribe controlled substances for the purpose of causing patients' deaths. On April 17, 2002, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Jones ruled that the U.S. Justice Department lacked authority to determine whether doctors could use their federal licenses to prescribe drugs for assisted suicide.  The decision will be appealed.

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Department of Justice Statement Regarding District Court Ruling (4/17/02)
DOJ remains convinced that Controlled Substances Act prohibits the use of federally controlled drugs to assist suicide.

Federal Law and Oregon's Assisted Suicide Practice
Background of Oregon v. Ashcroft

Don't blame government for upholding federal law
"No state can just pass a law saying, 'Federal law does not count in this state.'"
(St. Petersburg Times, 12/3/01) 

Oregon doctors shouldn't be outside federal law
(Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 11/15/01)

Text of Ashcroft memorandum prohibiting use of federally controlled substances for assisted suicide (11/6/01)

Oregon's Official Response to Ashcroft memorandum