Alcohol is more harmful than heroin

A new study by experts from the Independent Scientific Commission on Drug Addiction (UK) says alcohol causes more harm than heroin or crack (a form of use of cocaine).


In the article published in the Lancet magazine, Professor David Nutt - a former chief adviser of the UK government on narcotics and a member of the research team, introduced a new way to measure the extent of harm. of addictive substances for individuals and the rest of society. His analysis showed that when both of these factors combined, alcohol was the most harmful drug, followed by heroin and crack.

According to Telegraph , the new assessment method uses 9 categories for individuals and 7 items for society in general. In particular, " harm to individuals " items include death rate, poor health, impaired brain function, loss of friendship and injury. " Harmful to society " items list both crime, environmental harm, family conflict and the decline of community cohesion.

Heroin, crack and narcotics that synthesize methamphetamine are the most toxic substances for individuals, while alcohol, heroin and crack occupy the top 3 positions toxic to the rest of society.

Professor Nutt's assessment confirms that in addition to being the most dangerous drug in terms of overall health, alcohol is 3 times more toxic than cocaine or tobacco and 5 times more than mephedrone. In particular, ecstasy, also known as ecstasy, a substance belonging to a toxic neurotransmitter group, has been concentrated by the media over the past two decades, only about one-third of that of alcohol.

The new study concludes: " Our results again demonstrate the correctness of previous research in the UK and the Netherlands, and confirm that universal drug classification systems The current variable has little to do with evidence of toxicity, which is consistent with the conclusions of previous expert reports that positively counteracting the harmful effects of alcohol is a health strategy. necessary and right ".

In addition to Professor Nutt, a lead author of the new study, he served as the Chairman of the UK government's Council on Substance Abuse Advisors until he was fired last year after declaring medicine. Shake less toxic than alcohol.