Alcohol ’causes more harm to society than heroin’

Alcohol is the most dangerous drug in the UK in terms of its effect on health and the wider socio-economic environment, according to a report.

The study from the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs was published in the Lancet and shows that alcohol ranked above illegal substances such as heroin, crack cocaine and crystal meth in terms of causing the most harm.

Conclusions were drawn following analysis of the addictiveness of the drug in question and how badly it harms human health, as well as its impact on the healthcare system and social services.

Former government drugs adviser Professor David Nutt, co-author of the report, said the findings illustrate the need for a revision of drug classification systems.

He added: "They also accord with the conclusions of previous expert reports that aggressively targeting alcohol harms is a valid and necessary public health strategy."

Last month, Alcohol Focus Scotland called on the government to increase the cost of drinks in Scotland in order to reduce the impact that cheap spirits are having on public health.