Flawed Report Bashes Alcohol

What a headline that was, "Alcohol - More Harmful Than Heroin or Crack". It was on the BBC on November 1st and the Guardian did a big thing on it too. It's referring to the findings of a report by David Nutt, the drugs advisor guy that the previous government sacked for saying similar things last year.

The Nutt report examines nine categories of harm that drugs can do to the individual "from death to damage to mental functioning and loss of relationships" and seven types of harm to others. The most dangerous drugs to their individual users were ranked as heroin, crack and then crystal meth. The most harmful to others were alcohol, heroin and crack in that order.

The report has been put together to suggest a restructure of drug classifications and to try and put some emphasis on learning from the Portuguese and Dutch into more innovative ways of decriminalising drugs. Whilst it is commendable that they are trying to have a grown up debate about the issue of illegal drug use and abuse, it has - and was alsways going to be - hijacked by others for their own agendas, not least the opportunity to have another generalised one size fits all bash at all purveyors of alcohol, whether they are on-trade or off-trade, whether they discount heavily or not.

Alcohol Concern for instance is suggesting that higher prices need to be enforced by government, i.e. increase duty. Yet there is no proof that higher prices will curb excessive alcohol use amongst the people addicted to it, in fact it will most probably increase crime and disorder as it will fuel the black market and exacerbate health issues as addicts deprive themselves of virtually everything bar alcohol.

One of the most constructive comments below the article in the Guardian Online is this one:

"Why exactly do only a minority of drinkers become alcoholics while a much larger proportion of heroin users form addictions? I'm not sure. I don't think enough research has been done on the nature of addiction itself. Not only between drugs, but also with different responses to them. It seems this would be more useful for forming policy than what Nutt wants to focus on."

Out of the scope of the Nutt Report was multiple drug use, which can make some drugs much more dangerous - such as cocaine or cannabis together with alcohol - but if the debate is going to be moved on to a higher plane then this is a very important aspect that cannot be ignored.

David Nutt in his attempt to bring about a grown up debate about drugs has trivialised the debate about alcohol and played to lowest common denominator sensationalism in which to promote his report.

The Guardian article quotes a Department of Health spokesperson: "The government is determined to prevent alcohol abuse without disadvantaging those who drink sensibly." Which is quite a welcoming response.

Let's hope they behave accordingly and don't use this flawed report as another excuse to tax us further with massive hikes in excise duties which of course will disadvantage everybody including sensible retailers and sensible consumers.