Alcohol policy research director Robin Room (July 10) says his drive to legalise cannabis is driven by his deep concerns about the damage done by the legal drug alcohol.

There is one death for every 320 alcoholics and other problem users of alcohol each year. Heroin kills one in every 100 users from overdose, plus other ways it kills.

Alcohol does so much damage in Australia because 80 per cent of Australians use it. Less than 3 per cent use heroin, speed, ice, cocaine and ecstasy, and 10 per cent use cannabis. These drugs are used less precisely because they are illegal.

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