As a car accident lawyer in Riverside, I am aware of the many tragedies caused by drinking and driving. In a recent study, alcohol now weighs in as having the highest consequences for people, rating above crack, cocaine, and methamphetamine. According to the study conducted in the U.K., on a scale of 1 to 100, alcohol rates at 72 when compared with 19 other drugs using 16 criteria classifications. The British study found that the criminal penalties made against drug users and possession has “little relation to the evidence of harm.” A professor and Britain’s former chief drug adviser co-authored the study. In another recent study, he also made the bold statement that ecstasy was not as dangerous as horseback riding.
“So why are harmful sporting activities allowed, whereas relatively less harmful drugs are not?” he wrote, “I believe this reflects a societal approach which does not adequately balance the relative risks of drugs against their harms.” He later apologized to those whose loved ones were lost due to ecstasy, as he did not mean to trivialize the drug’s dangers. The purpose of the study, he said, was to assess risk and not offend.
Ecstasy’s level of harm, according to his newest study, ranks number 9 on the list, or one-eighth less harmful than alcohol. Study panelists agreed, “aggressively targeting alcohol harms is a valid and necessary public health strategy.” It is important that safety measures be taken which prevent drunken driving. They are crucial to sustaining health and safety for everyone. It is important to stop yourself or a friend from getting behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking.
