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.