Are they? Here is a list of 20 drugs, ordered by an average harm rating – consisting of Physical harm, Dependence and Social Harm.
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- Barbiturates
- Street Methadone
- Alcohol
- Ketamine
- Benzodiazepines
- Amphetamine
- Tobacco
- Buprenorphine
- Cannabis
- Solvents
- 4-MTA
- LSD
- Methylphenidate
- Anabolic Steroids
- GHB
- Ecstasy
- Alkyl Nitrites
- Khat
If you look at this list and compare it to the illegal drugs list for the UK, you do have to wonder what is going on.
Class A
- Ecstasy
- 4-MTA
- LSD
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Street Methadone
Class B
- Amphetamine
- Methylphenidate eg “Ritalin”
- Barbiturates
Class C
- Buprenorphine
- Benzodiazepines
- GHB
- Anabolic Steroids
- Cannabis
Not controlled
- Alcohol
- Alkyl Nitrites
- Ketamine
- Khat
- Solvents
- Tobacco
There seems to be little correlation.
On of the major problems facing the government on the release of this list is that re-classifying the legality of a drug with a dependence on its harm rating would either mean making alcohol and tobacco illegal (which is never gonna happen) or making all the currently illegal drugs rated ‘less harmful’ than alcohol legal (which is also never gonna happen). So they are left stuck with antiquated substance law and looking a bit silly, I’m sure they will be pleased when this information fades from the public eye.
It’s interesting to note that alcohol falls way down the list if you reduce its social harm rating. I can’t help but come to the conclusion that this is because it is the only ‘escapist’ drug that is legally available and if another ‘escapist drug was made legal (cannabis is the obvious choice) then perhaps the problems caused by over-active drinkers would fall dramatically.
Let’s face it, if you want to forget whatever problems you may have, or just escape for the hell of it, you have to consume quite a bit of alcohol. An unfortunate side effect is of course the accidents, the fights, the illness and injury and everything that is plaguing town centres up and down the country on a friday and saturday night.
Legalise cannabis!!! You know it makes sense.
You know I’m about as likely to smoke cannabis as Ghandi is to come back from the dead and promote US foreign policy, and even I think alcohol should be restricted and cannabis legalised.
But then, since when has a government consisted of sensible rational people instead of draconian reactionaries?