Horizons tonight - is alcohol worse than ecstasy?

Should be an interesting one! This is the blurb about the show:

Tuesday 5th February 2008, 9pm, BBC Two

Recent research has analysed the link between the harmful effects of drugs relative to their current classification by law with some startling conclusions. Perhaps most startling of all is that alcohol, solvents and tobacco (all unclassified drugs) are rated more dangerous than ecstasy, 4-MTA and LSD (all class A drugs). If the current ABC system is retained, alcohol would be rated a class A drug and tobacco class B.

The scientists involved, including members of the government's top advisory committee on drug classification, have produced a rigorous assessment of the social and individual harm caused by 20 of the UK's most dangerous drugs and believe this should form the basis of future ranking. They think the current ABC system is arbitrary and not based on any scientific evidence.

The drug policies have remained unchanged over the last 40 years so should they be reformed in the light of new research?

May watch this. Some real facts about drugs that isn't hyped over by newpaper media, or government "findings".....

drugs are sooo rife and easy to get hold of the ABC system makes no diffence in people's decision to take them

Originally Posted by leemole

drugs are sooo rife and easy to get hold of the ABC system makes no diffence in people's decision to take them

True. But why should some people be demonised/prosecuted for taking certain drugs, when other things which are more harmful are considered acceptable?

i agree after a few E's i dont wanna get into fights, be sick everywhere and be a Kn*bhead yet im the criminal lol !!

Probably have too much of the former than I should (not binging, just regular consumption) and have never tried the latter. So I can't comment entirely from personal experience.

From what I have read however, I think they probably have a very valid point. My gut instinct would therefore be to say yes it is. Will watch tonight to find out more though.

I wonder how politically slanted it will be. I think I'll know within the first 2 minutes whether it's worth watching; there's nothing like people being ignorant about drugs gaining all their knowledge from hearsay and movies.

ne of u seen hollyoaks ?? the young lad who started on weed a few months ago now has a bag of heroin n he is thinkin of tryin it !! yeah right cos thats really what happens.

[Stu]

Mistresses on the other side - will need to tape one!

Well i worked as a "Point of Entry Public Relations Officer" (Bouncer) for several years... in places where lots of alcohol was consumed there were lots of fights, and i got hit alot....
on dance/trance nights (where lots of E's were consumed) there was Very rarely any trouble and i got lots of hugs.

I stopped this job when i was told i could no longer consume lots of alchohol or E's while on duty...