Is alcohol worse than ecstasy?

[Mind's High Mailinglist]

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?

watch:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/tvradio/programmes/horizon/broadband/tx/drugs/