Stumble it!Climb out of the bottle
posted in Society by themaiden |
Image via WikipediaAnd pick up with Acid, X, and weed.
A new study of recreational drug use out of the UK has reached some startling conclusions. The study headed up by professor David Nutt of Britain’s Bristol University and his colleagues have proposed a new framework for classifying recreational drugs and harmful substances. Within this new framework alcohol and tobacco were listed higher on the danger scale then other more notorious drugs like: LSD, Ecstasy and Cannabis (more commonly referred to as marijuana). Here is the list of the twenty harmful substances with the number one spot and title of most harmful drug going to Heroin.
Study Finds: Marijuana, LSD and Ecstacy Less Dangerous Then Alcohol and Tobacco - Associated Content
Interesting isn’t it? The ’safe’ drug is more dangerous than the one that makes you see things that aren’t there.
The Big Four aren’t really that surprising, though I’d have guessed that meth would rank higher still:
1. HEROIN
2. COCAINE
3. BARBITURATES
4. STREET METHADONE
The point?
I like the approach the this researcher has taken. The study is in effect an attempt to rethink attitudes toward particular drugs, with an eye to law. I won’t argue that some drugs need to be regulated, but it is hard to deny that current drug laws are confused collections of old prejudice and weird mythology. David Nutt focused the right issues: “The physical harm done to the user, the drugs potential for addiction, and its impact on society as a whole.” As an evaluation of potential danger, he seems to have nailed it. Honestly though, insofar as this study is used in lawmaking, I’d prefer it if the focus were entirely on the impact on society as a whole because, 1) the other two concerns reduce to that third one in large part and 2) that is the only basis on which we have any business crafting legislation.
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