Alcohol 'more harmful than heroin'

According to a medical study published in the Lancet alcohol is said to be more harmful than heroin. The reports co-author David Nutt, a former adviser to the last Labour government on drugs, was sacked by the then Home Secretary Alan Johnson. Mr Nutt would be one of those that argues for a more relaxed approach to drug regulations. His report on alcohol is pushing the agenda that, what we think of as elicit drugs are too highly classified. I do not agree with Professor Nutts agenda but his research is none the less very interesting.

I will be honest and say that Mr Nutts findings are not a surprise to me. His study involved 16 criteria including a drugs' effect on the users' physical and mental health, environmental damage, economic costs and social harms including crime and family adversities. The modelling exercise concluded that while heroin, crack and methylamphetamine were the most harmful drugs for individuals heroin and alcohol were equally harmful to society.

As I said, this is not surprising. Just a glance around society is evidence enough of the harm alcohol does. Close to where I work there is what is known as a 'wet hostel', a home for alcoholics. I see these poor creatures making their way each day to the Tesco's off licence to buy the cheapest Cider they can get. Last week one of my colleagues was standing beside one of these poor individuals in a post office queue when the man in question 'wet himself'. Do you think this was the life he intended for himself when he took his first drink. Go through our town centres at closing time and watch young men beat 'the tar' out of one another because they are full of alcohol. Visit the home of the widow made so by a drunk driver. Visit the home of the child or wife beaten by a drunken husband or father. Alcohol is dangerous alright.

The Bible has a lot to say about the subject. Perhaps Mr Nutt and his colleagues should read the words of Solomon when they are doing their next piece of research.

'Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.' Proverbs 23 v 29-30

The thing that I can't get my head around are Christians who promote a 'Libertarian' attitude to alcohol. It is a poison on society and an honest study of the scriptures can only bring you to that same conclusion.

'Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.' Proverbs 20 v1