Study on harmful effects of drugs and alcohol

I refer to the article (November 2) which reported a study which has ranked alcohol to be “more harmful than illegal drugs like cocaine and heroin”.

Such misleading information can lead many youngsters to make the wrong choices in their life, if we are implying that having a glass of beer – as shown in the article – can be more harmful than shooting heroin.

This is a clear case of irresponsible reporting which plays into the hands of lobbyists with an obscure agenda. On the one hand there are those who are promoting abstinence from drinking alcohol, and on the other there are those who are demonising alcohol to strengthen their arguments to legalise substances like marijuana, cocaine and heroin. Both are harmful manipulations.

There is enough evidence in our society to show, without question, whether consuming a glass of beer is more harmful than sniffing cocaine. The message that needs to be imparted to our youngsters is that illegal drugs can only lead to ruin, and that is why they are, and should remain, illegal.

On the other hand, it is only the misuse of alcoholic beverages that is harmful, and it is evident to more than 90 per cent of Maltese that consuming wine, beer or spirits – in a responsible manner – does not have any ill effects on health or a person’s lifestyle. Can we say the same about illegal drugs? The sensationalist title of the article risks distorting debate and alienates sensible people from discussing the sort of balanced and proportionate actions that need to be taken in preventing alcohol-related harm.

It should also be noted that David Nutt, who conducted the study, also tried to lead people to believe, in another research exercise of his, that horse riding is more dangerous than ecstasy. One should ask what lies behind these findings of the professor: Is it to educate people to drink responsibly, or to press for the legalisation of all drugs?

Before copying and pasting articles with more sensationalist than educational value, one would expect all the media in Malta to seriously check their sources more carefully in the interest of the well-being of their readers and the Maltese society.

Editor’s note: The study in question has been reported extensively, including in respected media such as the BBC and The Times of London. Our report made it clear that alcohol was rated the most dangerous substance when taking into consideration its effects on society as a whole.