Drug users know their stuff

Press Release - Links: - Drug users are well informed about the harms associated with the drugs they use, and perceive alcohol and tobacco to be amongst the most dangerous substances, according to a new survey by UCL and Imperial College London. The findings, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology , suggest that the current system of classifying psychoactive drugs in the UK may need to be revisited. The study, led by Celia Morgan and Professor Valerie Curran at UCL, surveyed 1,500 UK drug users via the website www.nationaldrugsurvey.org. Drug users were asked to rate 20 psychoactive substances on a 'rational' scale previously developed by Professor David Nutt, Imperial College London, who collaborated on this study. Heroin, crack and cocaine topped the list in terms of harm, but alcohol was rated fifth, solvents seventh and tobacco ninth. Ecstasy came 13^th in the harm rating, LSD 16^th and cannabis 18^th. Thus, the survey found no relationship between the drug's legal status, based on the current classification system, and users? ratings of harm.