Study: Alcohol 'most harmful drug,' followed by crack and heroin

Gerald · 11-01-10, 02:54 PM

London, England (CNN) -- Alcohol ranks "most harmful" among a list of 20 drugs, beating out crack and heroin when assessed for its potential harm to the individual imbibing and harm to others, according to study results released by a British medical journal.A panel of experts from the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs weighed the physical, psychological, and social problems caused by the drugs and determined that alcohol was the most harmful overall, according to an article on the study released by The Lancet on Sunday.

Using a new scale to evaluate harms to individual users and others, alcohol received a score of 72 on a scale of 1 to 100, the study says. It was compared to 19 other drugs using 16 criteria: nine related to the adverse effects the drug has on an individual and seven on its harm against others.

That makes it almost three times as harmful as cocaine or tobacco, according to the article, which is slated to be published on The Lancet's website Monday and in an upcoming print edition of the journal.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/1...ex.html?hpt=C2

Note:November 1, 2010 - Updated 1714 GMT (0114 HKT)

Takeda Shingen · 11-01-10, 02:59 PM

It is no secret that a good portion of what can be labeled as 'forum stupidity' around here is alcohol-related.

Gerald · 11-01-10, 03:02 PM

DarkFish · 11-01-10, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vendor

the physical, psychological, and social problems caused by the drugs

While it's certainly true that an addiction isn't exactly good for your social life, limited use of drugs can be. What's better than spending the night drinking with your friends, and afterwards blowing some weed in the park?

Same often goes for health. It's pretty common knowledge that alcohol is rather poisonous, but up until 2 glasses a day IIRC, it's actually good for your health.
So while overuse of drugs can cause certain problems, as long as you're careful it's often better/healthier to use drugs than not.

Gerald · 11-01-10, 03:19 PM

Just so, a glass of wine or some beer is ok, I think, and also with your friends, sit at home and drink myself I would never do, an unthinkable situation

Buddahaid · 11-01-10, 03:46 PM

I'd like to see how they weighted the study. Way more people imbibe than burn crack, and some drugs are used together frequently.

Gerald · 11-01-10, 05:23 PM

The alcohol would top the list, was hardly a surprise, but unfortunately there are other drugs in the article that are easy to come by, so that considerable potential security risk for the individual and society.

gimpy117 · 11-01-10, 05:30 PM

Yes, Binge drinking is a problem. But I go to WMU, and the last kid i remember to go to the hospital in the dorms overdosed on herione. Lots of kids drink and are fine.

antikristuseke · 11-01-10, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

It is no secret that a good portion of what can be labeled as 'forum stupidity' around here is alcohol-related.

Whats that, me and dowly?

Ducimus · 11-01-10, 06:09 PM

Miller lite, and Captain Morgan mixed with diet pepsi, how I love thee.

DarkFish · 11-01-10, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antikristuseke

Whats that, me and dowly?

hey! you're forgetting about me!

Ducimus · 11-01-10, 06:30 PM

I've got a duink posting of six under my belt as well.

Gerald · 11-01-10, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducimus

Miller lite, and Captain Morgan mixed with diet pepsi, how I love thee.

krashkart · 11-01-10, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

It is no secret that a good portion of what can be labeled as 'forum stupidity' around here is alcohol-related.

Every time a drunken rant is posted, an lolcat dies.

razark · 11-01-10, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krashkart

Every time a drunken rant is posted, an lolcat dies.

That's incentive enough for me. I'm off to grab the bottle of gin.

11-01-10, 02:54 PM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Study: Alcohol 'most harmful drug,' followed by crack and heroin London, England (CNN) -- Alcohol ranks "most harmful" among a list of 20 drugs, beating out crack and heroin when assessed for its potential harm to the individual imbibing and harm to others, according to study results released by a British medical journal.A panel of experts from the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs weighed the physical, psychological, and social problems caused by the drugs and determined that alcohol was the most harmful overall, according to an article on the study released by The Lancet on Sunday. Using a new scale to evaluate harms to individual users and others, alcohol received a score of 72 on a scale of 1 to 100, the study says. It was compared to 19 other drugs using 16 criteria: nine related to the adverse effects the drug has on an individual and seven on its harm against others. That makes it almost three times as harmful as cocaine or tobacco, according to the article, which is slated to be published on The Lancet's website Monday and in an upcoming print edition of the journal. http://edition.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/1...ex.html?hpt=C2 Note:November 1, 2010 - Updated 1714 GMT (0114 HKT) __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

11-01-10, 03:02 PM	#3
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	__________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

11-01-10, 03:19 PM	#5
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Just so, a glass of wine or some beer is ok, I think, and also with your friends, sit at home and drink myself I would never do, an unthinkable situation __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

11-01-10, 03:46 PM	#6
Buddahaid Shark above Space Chicken Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9,319 Downloads: 162 Uploads: 0	I'd like to see how they weighted the study. Way more people imbibe than burn crack, and some drugs are used together frequently. __________________ "However vast the darkness, we must provide our own light." Stanley Kubrick "Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming." David Bowie

11-01-10, 05:23 PM	#7
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	The alcohol would top the list, was hardly a surprise, but unfortunately there are other drugs in the article that are easy to come by, so that considerable potential security risk for the individual and society. __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

11-01-10, 02:59 PM	#2
Takeda Shingen Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 8,643 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	It is no secret that a good portion of what can be labeled as 'forum stupidity' around here is alcohol-related.

11-01-10, 05:30 PM	#8
gimpy117 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 3,243 Downloads: 108 Uploads: 0	Yes, Binge drinking is a problem. But I go to WMU, and the last kid i remember to go to the hospital in the dorms overdosed on herione. Lots of kids drink and are fine. __________________ Member of the Subsim Zombie Army

11-01-10, 06:09 PM	#10
Ducimus Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,987 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 2	Miller lite, and Captain Morgan mixed with diet pepsi, how I love thee.

11-01-10, 06:30 PM	#12
Ducimus Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,987 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 2	I've got a duink posting of six under my belt as well.