Yesterday, we looked at a British study that concluded that among addictive substances, alcohol is the most devastating–more than crack cocaine, heroin and crystal meth.
As you can imagine, a study such as this has not been without controversy. It was sponsored by Britain’s Centre for Crime and Justice Studies and published in Lancet, a medical journal.
Experts said the study should prompt countries to reconsider how they classify drugs. For example, last year in Britain, the government increased its penalties for the possession of marijuana. One of its senior advisers, David Nutt — the lead author on the Lancet study — was fired after he criticized the British decision.
“What governments decide is illegal is not always based on science,” said van den Brink. He said considerations about revenue and taxation, like those garnered from the alcohol and tobacco industries, may influence decisions about which substances to regulate or outlaw.
“Drugs that are legal cause at least as much damage, if not more, than drugs that are illicit,” he said.
Since the study is connected to an organization that works on criminal justice issues, you can see why the experts mentioned are advocating that governments rethink the way the classify drugs. This stance looks at this issue in a punitive way, after someone has to be punished for breaking the law. It is encouraging to also read the comments that center around trying to help those who drink in excess so they don’t end up needing to enter drug and alcohol rehab. We agree that governments should do more to educate the public. They may not reach everyone, but public education programs to make a difference. While people still like to joke about the “Just Say No” anti-drug use campaign that became a part of pop culture in the United States, that message may have resonated with some.
A preventative approach actually begins at home when parents are willing sit down to talk with their children about the dangers of substance abuse. And rather than comparing substances and talking about which is worst, it is best to talk about why drug and alcohol abuse of any kind (including prescription drug abuse) creates more problems than it solves.
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