Is Alcohol the most harmful drug?



In London, England alcohol was ranked most harmful among a list of 20 drugs. Therefore alcohol is outweighing the affects of heroin and crack. The Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs researched the physical, psychological, and social problems caused by alcohol. It showed that alcohol was by far most harmful. On a scale of 1-100, alcohol received a 72. As of now alcohol is determined to be three times as harmful as cocaine and tobacco. Instead of alcohol being harmful to individuals, its most harmful to others, followed by heroin and cocaine. Aggressively targeting alcohol harms is a valid and necessary public health strategy. This article was called the lancet article. The article was co-authored by David Nutt. David Nutt was Britain's former chief drug advisor who created chaos last year when he published an article saying ecstasy was not as dangerous as riding a horse. An important question asked was, "why are harmful sporting activities allowed, but relatively less harmful drugs are not?" 

1. Is alcohol going to be a bigger charge in court now over drugs that can be smoked, snorted, or taken in a shot?
2. Would this article affect the governments decision on lowering the drinking age?
3. Will the United States become stricter on alcohol due to an event that took place in London, England? 

 I think this article is entitled to an opinion, yes alcohol may be more harmful than other drugs but all of these drugs can harm individuals and others around them. Alcohol was only stated to be harmful to others, while heroin and methamphetamine are highly harmful to individuals. But crack cocaine is very harmful to both. Drugs can easily badly influence people or even take their lives. overdosing, underage drinking, to much consumption are all examples as to how people can be harmed by the in take of ANY drug.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/01/alcohol.harm/index.html?hpt=C2