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Midazolam is common thread in 3 lengthy executions

By WTOP Staff

The Associated Press

Arizona used a two-drug protocol for Wednesday’s execution of Joseph Rudolph Wood, who had been sentenced to die for the 1989 deaths of a former girlfriend and her father.

Witnesses saw Wood gasp and snort for an hour and 40 minutes after the execution drugs were injected in his veins. He finally was pronounced dead an hour and 57 minutes after the process started.

Executions without problems typically take 10 minutes or so.

While no one knows why Wood’s execution lasted so long, a common denominator for three lengthy executions this year is midazolam, a sedative often given to patients prior to surgery. It’s commonly known as Versed.

Midazolam’s side effects can include serious breathing problems and cardiac arrest. Warning labels that accompany the drug say monitoring is required in case there is a need to intervene with life-saving medical treatment. Overdoses can result in a slow heart rate. A normal dose is usually less than 5 milligrams.

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IN ARIZONA:

Arizona’s protocol calls for 50 milligrams of midazolam. The second drug in Wood’s execution was the painkiller hydromorphone. At nonlethal doses, it changes the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. At high doses, the narcotic can stop the respiratory system and the heart.

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IN OHIO:

Midazolam and hydromorphone are the same drugs Ohio used in the January execution of Dennis McGuire, who snorted and made gasp-like sounds during the 26 minutes it took him to die. Ohio used 10 milligrams of midazolam, but then announced it was increasing the dosage to 50 milligrams in the wake of McGuire’s execution.

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IN OKLAHOMA:

Oklahoma inmate Clayton Lockett died 43 minutes after his execution began in April — of an apparent heart attack after the state’s prison’s chief directed the executioner to stop administering lethal doses of three drugs: midazolam, vecuronium bromide and potassium chloride. In executions, they are typically injected in that order, at high doses. Oklahoma’s protocol calls for 100 milligrams of midazolam.

Vecuronium bromide is a muscle relaxant used during some surgeries and also can cause breathing difficulties. Potassium chloride is used to treat potassium deficiency but is used in executions to stop the heart.

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IN FLORIDA:

Florida executioners have also used midazolam as part of that state’s procedures. Florida’s protocol calls for 500 milligrams of the drug.

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Source: National Institutes of Health.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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