This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/6474053.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Scientists want new drug rankings | |
(1 day later) | |
The drug classification system in the UK is not "fit for purpose" and should be scrapped, scientists have said. | The drug classification system in the UK is not "fit for purpose" and should be scrapped, scientists have said. |
They have drawn up an alternative system which they argue more accurately reflects the harm that drugs do. | They have drawn up an alternative system which they argue more accurately reflects the harm that drugs do. |
The new ranking system places alcohol and tobacco in the upper half of the league table, ahead of cannabis and several Class A drugs such as ecstasy. | The new ranking system places alcohol and tobacco in the upper half of the league table, ahead of cannabis and several Class A drugs such as ecstasy. |
The study, published in The Lancet, has been welcomed by a team reviewing drug research for the government. | The study, published in The Lancet, has been welcomed by a team reviewing drug research for the government. |
The Academy of Medical Sciences group plans to put its recommendations to ministers in the autumn. | The Academy of Medical Sciences group plans to put its recommendations to ministers in the autumn. |
Suggested rating of drugs according to harm done | Suggested rating of drugs according to harm done |
A new commission is also due to undertake a three-year review of general government drug policy. | A new commission is also due to undertake a three-year review of general government drug policy. |
The new system has been developed by a team led by Professor David Nutt, from the University of Bristol, and Professor Colin Blakemore, chief executive of the Medical Research Council. | The new system has been developed by a team led by Professor David Nutt, from the University of Bristol, and Professor Colin Blakemore, chief executive of the Medical Research Council. |
HAVE YOUR SAY I would say that on balance, many 'illegal' drugs are less harmful than the two 'legal' drugs available Chris, Shropshire Send us your comments | |
It assesses drugs on the harm they do to the individual, to society and whether or not they induce dependence. | It assesses drugs on the harm they do to the individual, to society and whether or not they induce dependence. |
A panel of experts were asked to rate 20 different drugs on nine individual categories, which were combined to produce an overall estimate of harm. | A panel of experts were asked to rate 20 different drugs on nine individual categories, which were combined to produce an overall estimate of harm. |
In order to provide familiar benchmarks, five legal drugs, including tobacco and alcohol were included in the assessment. Alcohol was rated the fifth most dangerous substance, and tobacco ninth. | In order to provide familiar benchmarks, five legal drugs, including tobacco and alcohol were included in the assessment. Alcohol was rated the fifth most dangerous substance, and tobacco ninth. |
Heroin was rated as the most dangerous drug, followed by cocaine and barbiturates. Ecstasy, however, rated only 18th, while cannabis was 11th. | Heroin was rated as the most dangerous drug, followed by cocaine and barbiturates. Ecstasy, however, rated only 18th, while cannabis was 11th. |
Arbitrary ranking | Arbitrary ranking |
CURRENT DRUG CLASSIFICATION Class A Cocaine/crackHeroinEcstasyLSDMagic mushroomsCrystal meth (pending) Class A/B Amphetamines Class C CannabisKetamine Drugs key facts Crystal meth to be Class A | CURRENT DRUG CLASSIFICATION Class A Cocaine/crackHeroinEcstasyLSDMagic mushroomsCrystal meth (pending) Class A/B Amphetamines Class C CannabisKetamine Drugs key facts Crystal meth to be Class A |
The researchers said the current ABC system was too arbitrary, and failed to give specific information about the relative risks of each drug. | The researchers said the current ABC system was too arbitrary, and failed to give specific information about the relative risks of each drug. |
It also gave too much importance to unusual reactions, which would only affect a tiny number of users. | It also gave too much importance to unusual reactions, which would only affect a tiny number of users. |
Professor Nutt said people were not deterred by scare messages, which simply served to undermine trust in warnings about the danger of drugs. | Professor Nutt said people were not deterred by scare messages, which simply served to undermine trust in warnings about the danger of drugs. |
He said: "The current system is not fit for purpose. Let's treat people as adults. We should have a much more considered debate how we deal with dangerous drugs." | He said: "The current system is not fit for purpose. Let's treat people as adults. We should have a much more considered debate how we deal with dangerous drugs." |
He highlighted the fact that one person a week in the UK dies from alcohol poisoning, while less than 10 deaths a year are linked to ecstasy use. | He highlighted the fact that one person a week in the UK dies from alcohol poisoning, while less than 10 deaths a year are linked to ecstasy use. |
Professor Blakemore said it was clear that current drugs' policies were not working. | Professor Blakemore said it was clear that current drugs' policies were not working. |
"We face a huge problem. Illegal substances have never been more easily available, or more widely abused." | "We face a huge problem. Illegal substances have never been more easily available, or more widely abused." |
He said the beauty of the new system, unlike the current version, was that it could easily be updated to reflect new research. | He said the beauty of the new system, unlike the current version, was that it could easily be updated to reflect new research. |
Professor Leslie Iversen, a member of the Academy of Medical Sciences group considering drug policy, said the new system was a "landmark paper". | Professor Leslie Iversen, a member of the Academy of Medical Sciences group considering drug policy, said the new system was a "landmark paper". |
He said: "It is a real step towards evidence-based classification of drugs." | He said: "It is a real step towards evidence-based classification of drugs." |
Professor Iversen said the fact that 500,000 young people routinely took ecstasy every weekend proved that current drug policy was in need of reform. | Professor Iversen said the fact that 500,000 young people routinely took ecstasy every weekend proved that current drug policy was in need of reform. |
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: "We have no intention of reviewing the drug classification system. | Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: "We have no intention of reviewing the drug classification system. |
"Our priority is harm reduction and to achieve this we focus on enforcement, education and treatment." | |
He said there had been "unparalleled investment" of £7.5 billion since 1998, which had contributed to a 21% reduction in overall drug misuse in the last nine years and a fall of 20% in drug related crime since 2004. | |
But he added: "The government is not complacent and will continue to work with all of our partners to build on this progress." | But he added: "The government is not complacent and will continue to work with all of our partners to build on this progress." |
MOST HARMFUL DRUGS GLOSSARY Benzodiazepines: Wide-ranging class of prescription tranquilisersBuprenorphine: Opioid drug used in treatment of opiate addiction4-MTA: Amphetamine derivative sold as 'flatliners' and ecstasyMethylphenidate: Amphetamine-like drug used to treat ADHDAlkyl nitrites: Stimulant often called amyl nitrites or 'poppers' | MOST HARMFUL DRUGS GLOSSARY Benzodiazepines: Wide-ranging class of prescription tranquilisersBuprenorphine: Opioid drug used in treatment of opiate addiction4-MTA: Amphetamine derivative sold as 'flatliners' and ecstasyMethylphenidate: Amphetamine-like drug used to treat ADHDAlkyl nitrites: Stimulant often called amyl nitrites or 'poppers' |
Click here to return | Click here to return |
Previous version
1
Next version