Health

Study: Alcohol More Lethal Than Heroin, Cocaine

LONDON (AP) — Alcohol is more dangerous than illegal drugs like heroin and crack cocaine, according to a new study.

British experts evaluated substances including alcohol, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and marijuana, ranking them based on how destructive they are to the individual who takes them and to society as a whole.

Researchers analyzed how addictive a drug is and how it harms the human body, in addition to other criteria like environmental damage caused by the drug, its role in breaking up families and its economic costs, such as health care, social services, and prison.

Heroin, crack cocaine and methamphetamine, or crystal meth, were the most lethal to individuals. When considering their wider social effects, alcohol, heroin and crack cocaine were the deadliest. But overall, alcohol outranked all other substances, followed by heroin and crack cocaine. Marijuana, ecstasy and LSD scored far lower.

The study was paid for by Britain’s Centre for Crime and Justice Studies and was published online Monday in the medical journal, Lancet.

Experts said alcohol scored so high because it is so widely used and has devastating consequences not only for drinkers but for those around them.

“Just think about what happens (with alcohol) at every football game,” said Wim van den Brink, a professor of psychiatry and addiction at the University of Amsterdam. He was not linked to the study and co-authored a commentary in the Lancet.

When drunk in excess, alcohol damages nearly all organ systems. It is also connected to higher death rates and is involved in a greater percentage of crime than most other drugs, including heroin.

But experts said it would be impractical and incorrect to outlaw alcohol.

“We cannot return to the days of prohibition,” said Leslie King, an adviser to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and one of the study’s authors. “Alcohol is too embedded in our culture and it won’t go away.”

King said countries should target problem drinkers, not the vast majority of people who indulge in a drink or two. He said governments should consider more education programs and raising the price of alcohol so it isn’t as widely available.

Experts said the study should prompt countries to reconsider how they classify drugs. For example, last year in Britain, the government increased its penalties for the possession of marijuana. One of its senior advisers, David Nutt – the lead author on the Lancet study – was fired after he criticized the British decision.

“What governments decide is illegal is not always based on science,” said van den Brink. He said considerations about revenue and taxation, like those garnered from the alcohol and tobacco industries, may influence decisions about which substances to regulate or outlaw.

“Drugs that are legal cause at least as much damage, if not more, than drugs that are illicit,” he said.

____

Online:

www.lancet.com

Comments (54)

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  • betterthantv
    Posted on November 1, 2010 at 12:06pm

    I’m a staunch conservative. But when it comes to drugs and a few other topics I lean Libertarian. It’s been obvious to me for years that alcohol is more dangerous. You see it everyday. The only reason drugs aren‘t legal is because Uncle Sam hasn’t figured out a way to tax them. The government has no business telling me what I can do to my own body in my own home!

    Report Post » betterthantv  
    • gibberish
      Posted on November 1, 2010 at 12:17pm

      So the government should allow the manufacturing and sale of crack, PCP, meth and heroin? The difference between alcohol and ANY other drug is that alcohol is a food and is metabolized by the body as such. Many people drink and NEVER get drunk, some just enjoy a beer or a glass of wine and the health benefits of moderate use of red wine come from the highest source (1 Timothy 5:23)

      My argument about marijuana decriminalization rests on the relative harmlessness of the drug when compared to alcohol. No one can say alcohol is as bad as crystal meth.

      Report Post » gibberish  
    • Vunks
      Posted on November 1, 2010 at 1:09pm

      Gibbrish, who are you to tell anyone what they can or can not put in their body. Are we free or slaves to tyrants? It’s pretty simple, if you love freedom let people be free.

      Report Post »  
  • onetexaspatriot
    Posted on November 1, 2010 at 9:24am

    consider the source, wonder who or whom paid for this “study”?

    Report Post » onetexaspatriot  
  • Ponyexpress
    Posted on November 1, 2010 at 8:16am

    What a bunch of crap.
    Why not do a study on the human disaster caused by driving an automobile?
    We kill over 40 thousand a year just in the USA with untold pain suffering and social costs that probably exceed everything else we do except voting Democrat.
    Does that mean that we should drink more and drive less?

    Report Post » Ponyexpress  
  • derekcrane
    Posted on November 1, 2010 at 7:46am

    One problem with the analysis. Most people don’t consume alcohol to get drunk; most drug users will consider their drug defective if they don‘t get high while under it’s influence.

    Report Post » derekcrane  
    • Libertarian25
      Posted on November 1, 2010 at 11:49am

      @ Derekcrane

      I’m just gonna quote you, because it bears repeating. Tell me if you can find what’s wrong with this:

      “Most people don’t consume alcohol to get drunk.”

      I’m stunned. Can you please explain to me why people consume alcohol?

      Report Post »  
    • derekcrane
      Posted on November 1, 2010 at 7:35pm

      Yo LIBERTARIAN25: Since the overwhelming number of people consume 1 to 3 drinks when they decide to imbibe, leaving them at .02 to .04 BAC, it is obvious that their intention is not to get drunk. They seek the milder effects of alcohol such as relaxation and a mild euphoria. I could appreciate that potheads and hopheads like you must get spived at every opportunity but this is not the intention of most people in this country.

      Report Post » derekcrane  
    • Libertarian25
      Posted on November 2, 2010 at 10:16am

      Well, I don’t believe that was a necessary insult, but whatever.

      People drink alcohol, to enjoy the effects of alcohol. Whether it be 1 to 3 drinks or 6 to 10, doesn’t really matter. They drink it, because it effects them in a way that makes them feel good, or better. I’ve spent a lot of time in bars, playing with bands, and I‘ve yet to meet someone who didn’t drink alcohol to get drunk, or buzzed. And it’s really the same concept. 10% of the country is alcoholics. Alcohol is highly addictive, and kills millions. It’s the number one cause of mouth cancer, it’s the number one drug in all domestic abuse cases, child abuse cases, vehicular homicide…whereas the presence of drugs like marijuana and cocaine in these situations are next to zero.

      You’re giving a pass to people who can responsibly drink alcohol, like they’re supposed to, but not giving a pass to someone who can use a recreational drug responsibly. Why is that?

      Think of it this way…keeping all these drugs illegal, keeps the profit on the side of the dealers and the smugglers. You know, the same people that are killing each other and the ones chopping off heads at the border. With the drug dealers regulating the sale of drugs, it’s much easier for the children to get a hold of them, considering that most, if not all drug dealers don’t check I.D.s. The illegal trade is too powerful for us to stop it, because it‘s money supply is endless and it’s people are heartless. They simply do not care. They are driven by billions upon billions of dollars. So instead of throwing money into a bottomless pit, we can hold on to that money, tax the drugs and earn more money, and expect people to be responsible for themselves.

      We stand here and yell about our liberties being taken away, and yet we still want the government to make sure that we’re safe. And if we’re all honest with ourselves, we know that they’re definitely not keeping us any safer with their nanny laws. They want control, they have no interest in our safety, they just think we‘re stupid and we can’t keep ourselves safe. That’s why they take guns away in certain cities, that’s why we have dry counties, that’s why we take our shoes off at airports…it’s useless, it’s pointless. We cannot continue trading our liberties for securities, or we will be done sooner than we think.

      Report Post »  
  • LordHowardHurts
    Posted on November 1, 2010 at 7:44am

    Great study and good use of taxpayer money. Yawn. Yawn. Lets fill the stadiums with fans on “hard” drugs. Alcohol is more lethal. Sure. Here is something for democrats looking for their next cause: 20,000 deaths, 7 million disabling injuries, and 20 million hospital trips in the U.S. each year. Maybe houses should be made illegal. If it saves even one life it is worth it, or so says Nanny Peloci. This is a great country, help by voting democrats Out of Office.

    Report Post » LordHowardHurts  
  • shellmen
    Posted on November 1, 2010 at 6:07am

    These resrechers should have the problem of family members being addicted and experience it first hand. First hand should be the only qualification for being an expert. Look at what we got for a president [ a person with no practical experience].

    Report Post »  
  • Vunks
    Posted on November 1, 2010 at 3:28am

    It’s time to end prohibition, it is a failure in every since of the word.

    Legalize Freedom.

    Report Post »  
  • American Pride
    Posted on November 1, 2010 at 3:21am

    Dicriminalize marijuana. It isnt rocket science.

    Report Post » American Pride  
  • gibberish
    Posted on November 1, 2010 at 2:47am

    I gave up marijuana for my god and my wife but if willing adults wish to consume in the privacy of their own homes where no minors are involved it should be their choice. The Marijuana vs. Alcohol debate has been told countless times and it is clear which drug kills more and ruins more lives.

    Follow the money…… The biggest opponents of marijuana reform are Alcohol companies

    http://current.com/19di74c

    Also, it‘s a waste of much needed taxpayer’s money and prison cells to put a bunch of harmless, tree-hugging hippies behind bars at the expense of the state.

    Report Post » gibberish  
  • ron the veteran
    Posted on November 1, 2010 at 2:08am

    this is the biggest bunch of b/s ive ever herd……take my word for it who ever wrote this (study?) is eather a drug dealer or another one of those ******* scientests who make things up to get grant money. my guess he just another liberal idiot whos too doped up to tell his hat from the toilet. or was it his toilet from his bong? HEY! this pot taste like piss! clean your bong! (wink wink)

    Report Post »  
  • traderdan
    Posted on November 1, 2010 at 1:59am

    What a surprise this comes from London….sigh

    you guys really need to take a class on understanding the ‘scientific method’ for collecting and interpreting data

    Report Post »  
  • w4jle
    Posted on November 1, 2010 at 1:57am

    Its deja vu all over again, isn’t this the same kind of study that started us down the road to legalize pot?

    Report Post » w4jle  
  • missionarydad
    Posted on November 1, 2010 at 1:42am

    I tend to agree with that study as a former drinker I remember that alcohol leaves you feeling bullet proof especially high proof spirits. I would get into fights, argue with friends that I was not drunk and think I was totally sober and able to drive and go back downtown to the bars or clubs after I had been talked into leaving because of trouble.The truth of the matter is I am very lucky to be alive as I would go looking for trouble and usually find it and I would even pass police on the highway while driving I felt that confident. Looking back I was a total fool when I was drinking and it was way beyond luck that I did not get killed or much worse kill someone else either as a drunk driver or from fighting.

    I never hit women but I probably just didn’t progress that far before I finally had a really bad accident that was alcohol related and that caused me to begin to wake up as I should have been killed that I survived was a total miracle, that time I was a pedestrian under the effects of alcohol and got hit by a car. I never did get a DWI because I would either outrun the cops or they would see how crazy I was driving and stop the chase I assume. The one time I did get pulled over while drunk I talked the officer out of the DWI and he took me to a motel to sleep the night. Thank God none of my children drink as looking back on my life it never done anything for me as I could have had better friends and richer experiences without it. Yeah I have memories of those times I was out having a good time, but now that I am older and wiser they are not memories I am proud of and would trade everyone of them for rich sober memories centered around real friends, loving family and righteous, God fearing living. Sorry I just felt like I needed to share this as it may influence someone for the good.

    Report Post »  
  • mikenleeds
    Posted on November 1, 2010 at 1:09am

    get rid of drugs,ciggs and beer and fast food we all would be much better off….

    Report Post » mikenleeds  
  • RavenGlenn
    Posted on November 1, 2010 at 12:58am

    Alcohol is absolutely more dangerous than marijuana. There is pretty much no doubt in that. Study after study show it and there are no cases of anyone ever dying of overdose from marijuana.

    With that said, I’m not so sure on much stronger drugs such as cocaine, meth, etc. I can’t imagine that those would be less devistating to society than marijuana.

    Really, I don’t care either way. I haven’t ever touched a drug, I don’t smoke, and I don’t drink.

    Report Post »  
  • Randyrocker
    Posted on November 1, 2010 at 12:19am

    That means that the ‘Glub, glub club is more dangerous than the ze, ze, ze club.

    Report Post »  
  • Free_Thinker
    Posted on October 31, 2010 at 11:51pm

    Well in the current state of affairs I’d say that this study is right. As an ex-cop and current firefighter/emt I agree that alcohol is more destructive and deadly. If meth, heroin and coke/crack were as widely used they would surpass alcohol though. As far as pot goes IMHO I think they should legalize it. It‘s California’s #1 cash crop and it doesn’t make any money for that broke state, legalize it and tax it! I have never seen anyone high on pot pile up family in a mini van and kill them all like alcohol does all the time. Not saying it doesn‘t happen but I’ve never seen it. Nobody gets high and goes home and beats the wife and kids, they just want some nachos or a twinkie and a bed to sleep in.

    Report Post » Free_Thinker  
    • OneRepublic4us
      Posted on November 1, 2010 at 1:51am

      “Not saying it doesn‘t happen but I’ve never seen it:” YET. I’m allergic to pot. If they‘re going to smoke it or smell like it please don’t do it in public. Funny how smelling alcohol on a person just causes me to draw rapid conclusions about them.

      Report Post » OneRepublic4us  
    • Rowgue
      Posted on November 2, 2010 at 12:14pm

      That’s bull. I’ve seen both of those things happen first hand. The myth of “all pot does is make you happy and hungry” is a bunch of crap.

      Report Post »  
  • Rowgue
    Posted on October 31, 2010 at 10:49pm

    Idiotic studies like this that are passed off as real science are why the population of the planet is currently so ignorant.

    All you get is conclusions. No raw data, no sampling statistics, no control group, no isolation of the variables being tested. No accounting for the fact that alcohol is used by the vast majority of people on earth on some level, while other drugs are only used by a miniscule amount of people in comparison.

    Get your science from morons and you shall become one of them.

    Report Post »  
  • BoilitDown
    Posted on October 31, 2010 at 10:26pm

    So, what would a football game look like with cocaine and smack venders? Whoever authorized the expenditure of good money for this study by “British Experts” should severely repremanded.

    Report Post »  
  • tenring
    Posted on October 31, 2010 at 10:17pm

    Oh no not this again, BIG GOV stepping in to save us from our selves. I guess We The People will be controlled by GOVERNMENT until we step up and tell them enough is enough. We can start on Tuesday and continue the peoples work in two years from now by throwing more of them out.

    Report Post » tenring  
  • ondrock
    Posted on October 31, 2010 at 10:15pm

    As a former Paramedic, I pretty much agree with this. We called Alcohol ‘job security’. I will say it appears one may overdose and die more easily with heroin than booze. A wise man avoids them all.

    Report Post » ondrock  
  • thepatriotdave
    Posted on October 31, 2010 at 10:12pm

    Personally, I think they can all be deadly.

    Ask yourself this question when trying to relate to which drug of choice you are going to let destroy your life… Will I be more dead if I shoot myself in the temple with a .22 cal or a .50 cal?

    PatriotShops.com

    Report Post » thepatriotdave  
  • PeterThePainter
    Posted on October 31, 2010 at 10:11pm

    Simply….create caos, criminalize alcohol and then make legal pot, herion and crack cocaine….comming to a local retailer near you. There will be a warning label prescribed by the FDA as to consumption. Football games won’t be the same……dude

    Report Post »  
    • whitaker
      Posted on October 31, 2010 at 10:37pm

      Imagine a football game with people using heroin,crack cocaine,ecstasy and LSD. The term mass insanity would seem most approate.

      Report Post » whitaker  
  • Butterfly2012
    Posted on October 31, 2010 at 10:09pm

    I was married to an alcoholic. It was pretty devastating,destructive,and dangerous. Hence the ‘was’.

    Report Post »  
    • independentvoteril
      Posted on October 31, 2010 at 10:52pm

      I’ll second that.. although my ex drank, smoked pot, and went on COKE benders.. which made him the BIG LOSER.. He’s moved up in the world however,, he now quit drinking and gets enough pain killers from his doctor to kill a RINO.. while WELFARE pays.. My guess is he voted for OBAMA..

      Report Post » independentvoteril  
  • TruthTalker
    Posted on October 31, 2010 at 10:01pm

    It is not more dangerous, it is used by so many more people. If Heroin or Coke were used as much, they would be the more lethal.

    Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200 {mix art}
      Posted on October 31, 2010 at 10:33pm

      All of them are lethal in their own ways, and this appears just another attempt by Progressives in the UK to attempt more changes in society. So figure it will happen here – the push to legalize any and all types of drugs.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • snowleopard3200 {mix art}
      Posted on October 31, 2010 at 11:59pm

      All I will say is this, all three – alcohol, cocaine, and heroine are eventually lethal. Hopefully the last two will never be made legal, in the UK and here in USA.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • southerncross
      Posted on November 1, 2010 at 1:08am

      you’re a bit backwards if you think more people use alcohol than illicit drugs in this day and age….. how many top hollywood stars have been to “rehab” for “drug addictions’ in the last few years????? if the stars are doing it, then, aren;t their fans doing it too? And if you‘re someone who’s a fan of lindsay Lohan, well, is her doing jailtime going to stop you, or upset you enough to do more just to spite the system?????? like i said…..you’re backwards, and it’s backwards thinking that had you end up with a usurper in chief………..

      with love, from australia!

      Report Post »  
    • Libertarian25
      Posted on November 1, 2010 at 10:43am

      Actually, alcohol is more dangerous, and if you don’t know that, you’re probably not aware of the facts. The truth about hard drugs is that most people try them and quit them. They‘re not as instantly addictive as we’re scared into believing. Alcohol is the most impairing drug on the market, and is related to more vehicle accidents, vehicle deaths, child abuse, domestic abuse…etc…

      The point is that we’re all adults here, we should be responsible enough to be able to control what goes in and out of our bodies. Keeping these drugs illegal is exactly what the smugglers want because the ILLEGAL drug trade is worth billions. People are consuming these drugs anyway, whether you like it or not. And the law is not going to make them stop. Assuming we did legalize drugs, they would be treated like alcohol. You would not be allowed to drive impaired, contributing to the delinquency of a minor would carry stiff penalties, any form of “open container” or “public display” would not be acceptable. For example, you could not walk down the street smoking a join or a crack pipe, it is something that would have to be done within the confines of private property.

      We are throwing billions upon billions upon billions of dollars at a drug war that has a negative success rate. Look, if you’re a drug user, and you start infringing on the rights of other people, you’re going to be held accountable. The legalization assumes the responsibility is on YOUR shoulders, to behave in a socially acceptable manner. Any infraction of the laws will result in legal punishment. We have failed to stop the everlasting war on drugs, and it has no sign of being successful any time soon. Legalization is not a panacea, but it would finally get the government off the backs of those who wind up in jail for simple possession and paraphernalia.

      Report Post »  
    • Promotefreedom
      Posted on November 1, 2010 at 11:02am

      This is a pointless argument from the Progressive’s viewpoint. Most of them will never come out and say it, but if one reads between the lines, eugenics is their answer.
      Obama gave a speech and said that the new government health care program had “issues” with the high cost of elderly health care. Therefore, he said, measures need to be taken to reduce the cost through end of life counseling. …..Uh huh….

      Right now Obama and gang are pushing for mandatory health care coverage of government paid birth control FOR ALL. …Hmmmmm… Does this include sterilization, or does that come later?

      Oh, and BTW, now that “they” have control of our health, when do they require and pay for “gene therapy” for the good of all?

      Someone must have invented a time machine! We are headed back to the 1930′s! Only this time we can kill people with the help of science. Poo poo on those old outdated gas chambers.

      Report Post »  
    • betterthantv
      Posted on November 1, 2010 at 12:08pm

      Libertarian25 has hit the nail right on the head for this issue. A little common sense is all we ask people. Government has NO right telling me what I can do to my own body!

      Report Post » betterthantv  
    • flamedone1968
      Posted on November 1, 2010 at 9:19pm

      Libertarian25
      I agree with you but in my opinion the most prominent reason is to remove the earnings from organized and often extremely violent criminal gangs and organizations.
      We have a good historical record concerning this in prohibition and the organized crime of the time. With the end of prohibition organized crime didn’t disappear but reduced and was less violent as their cash cow was removed.

      Report Post » flamedone1968  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on November 2, 2010 at 6:28pm

      I’ll take my chances with the booze but they can take that H1N1 shot and shove it up their Anus….

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
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