Pubdate: Sat, 24 Mar 2007 Source: Border Mail (Australia) Copyright: 2007 Border Mail Contact: http://www.bordermail.com.au/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1017 Referenced: The Lancet report http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n366/a01.html BOOZE JOINS HARD DRUGS ON DANGER LISTING AN Australian drug expert has backed the inclusion of alcohol in a new ranking of the world's most dangerous substances, designed to tackle addiction problems. A new analysis in leading medical journal The Lancet calls for new British classification of drugs to reflect the physical and social harm they wreak on the community. The chart, a compilation of expert opinion, places heroin as clearly the most dangerous, followed by cocaine, barbiturates and methadone. Population health specialist professor Wayne Hall, from the University of Queensland, wrote in the journal that the biggest revelation was the extent of dangers posed by alcohol and tobacco. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake