Posted August 1, 200618 yr Drugs: the real deal This is the first ranking based upon scientific evidence of harm to both individuals and society. It was devised by government advisers - then ignored by ministers because of its controversial findings Published: 01 August 2006 front page of the independent. 1: Heroin (Class A) ORIGIN: Vast majority comes from poppy fields of Afghanistan MEDICAL: Sedative made from the opium poppy. Can be smoked or injected to produce a 'rush'. Users feel lethargic but experience severe cravings for the drug NO. OF UK USERS: 40,000 NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: 744 STREET VALUE: £30-100 a gram DANGER RATING: 2.75/3 2: Cocaine (Class A) ORIGIN: Made from coca shrubs from Colombia and Bolivia MEDICAL: Stimulant made from leaves of the coca bush. Increases alertness and confidence but raises heart rate and blood pressure and users will crave it NO. OF UK USERS: 800,000 NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: 147 STREET VALUE: £30-55 a gram DANGER RATING: 2.25/3 3: Barbiturates (Class B ) ORIGIN: Synthetic lab-made drugs, used to be prominent in clubs MEDICAL:Powerful sedatives. Widely prescribed as sleeping pills but dangerous in overdose and now superseded by safer drugs NO. OF UK USERS: Not many NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: 14 STREET VALUE: £1-2 a tablet DANGER RATING: 2.10/3 4: Street Methadone (Class A) ORIGIN: Synthetic drug similar to heroin but less addictive MEDICAL: Similar to morphine and heroin and used to wean addicts off these drugs because it is less sedating. Street versions may be contaminated NO. OF UK USERS: 20,000 NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: 200 STREET VALUE: £2 a dose DANGER RATING: 1.90/3 5: Alcohol (Legal) ORIGIN: Brewed across the world in many different forms MEDICAL:Central nervous system depressant used to reduce inhibitions and increase sociability. Increasing doses lead to intoxication, coma and respiratory failure NO. OF UK USERS: Most adults NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: 22,000 STREET VALUE: £2.25 pint of lager DANGER RATING: 1.85/3 6: Ketamine (Class C) ORIGIN: Anaesthetic drug popular on club and rave scene MEDICAL:Intravenous anaesthetic used on humans and animals which, when taken in tablet form, creates hallucinatory experiences NO. OF UK USERS: Unknown NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: N/A STREET VALUE: £15-50 a gram DANGER RATING: 1.80/3 7: Benzodiazopines (Class C) ORIGIN: Tranquilisers used to beat anxiety and insomnia MEDICAL:The most common prescription tranquillisers. Effective sedatives which have a calming effect, reducing anxiety, but are addictive NO. OF UK USERS: 160,000 NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: 206 STREET VALUE: Prescription drug DANGER RATING: 1.75/3 8: Amphetamines (Class B ) ORIGIN: Synthetic stimulants snorted, mixed in drink or injected MEDICAL:Man-made drugs that increase heart rate and alertness. Users may feel paranoid. Newer form, methamphetamine, is addictive NO. OF UK USERS: 650,000 NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: 33 STREET VALUE: £2-10 a gram DANGER RATING: 1.70/3 9: Tobacco (Legal) ORIGIN: Most of the leaf comes from the Americas MEDICAL: Contains nicotine, a fast-acting stimulant which is highly addictive. Tobacco causes lung cancer and increases the risk of heart disease NO. OF UK USERS: 12.5m NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: 114,000 STREET VALUE: £4.50 a packet DANGER RATING: 1.65/3 10: Buprenorphine (Class C) ORIGIN: Can be made in a laboratory MEDICAL: More expensive alternative to methadone used to wean addicts off heroin. Preferred by some addicts because it leaves them more 'clear headed' NO. OF UK USERS: Unknown NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: N/A STREET VALUE: Unknown DANGER RATING: 1.55/3 11: Cannabis (Class C) ORIGIN: Plant is easily cultivated in temperate climates MEDICAL: Leaves of the cannabis sativa plant or resin can be smoked or eaten. It is a relaxant but stronger forms can also cause hallucinations and panic attacks NO. OF UK USERS: 3m NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: 16 £40-100 an ounce DANGER RATING: 1.40/3 12: Solvents (Legal) ORIGIN: Organic compounds found in glues, paints, lighter fluid MEDICAL: Includes glue, gas lighters, some aerosols and paint thinners. Produces euphoria and loss of inhibitions but can cause blackouts and death NO. OF UK USERS: 37,000 NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: 53 STREET VALUE: £9.99 a tin of paint DANGER RATING: 1.35/3 13: 4-MTA (Class A) ORIGIN: Amphetamine derivative; similar effects to ecstasy MEDICAL: Amphetamine derivative, similar to ecstasy, and also known as 'flatliners'. Popular dance drug, producing feelings of euphoria NO. OF UK USERS: Unknown NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: N/A STREET VALUE: Unknown DANGER RATING: 1.30/3 14: LSD (Class A) ORIGIN: Hallucinogenic, synthetic drug more popular in 1960s MEDICAL: Man-made drug that has a strong effect on perception. Effects include hallucinations and loss of sense of time. A 'bad trip' can cause anxiety NO. OF UK USERS: 70,000 NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: N/A STREET VALUE: £1-5 a tab DANGER RATING: 1.25/3 15: Methylphenidate (Class B ) ORIGIN: Medicine, similar to amphetamines MEDICAL: The chemical name for Ritalin, the stimulant drug used to treat children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder which helps them concentrate NO. OF UK USERS: Unknown NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: N/A STREET VALUE: Unknown DANGER RATING: 1.20/3 16: Anabolic Steroids (Class C) ORIGIN: Hormones used by bodybuilders and sportsmen MEDICAL: Synthetic drugs that have a similar effect to hormones such as testosterone. Used by body builders to increase muscle bulk NO. OF UK USERS: 38,000 NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: N/A STREET VALUE: £7.99 a tablet DANGER RATING: 1.15/3 17: GHB (Class C) ORIGIN: Synthetic drug, sold as 'liquid ecstasy' MEDICAL: The date rape drug, Gammahydroxybutyrate, is a sedative that has a relaxing effect, reducing inhibitions, but can lead to stiff muscles and fits NO. OF UK USERS: Not many NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: 3 STREET VALUE: £15 a bottle DANGER RATING: 1.10/3 18: Ecstasy (Class A) ORIGIN: Synthetic drug in tablets; popular in dance scene MEDICAL: MDMA or similar man-made chemicals. Causes adrenaline rushes and feelings of wellbeing but also anxiety and high body temperature NO. OF UK USERS: 800,000 NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: 33 STREET VALUE: £1-5 a pill DANGER RATING: 1.05/3 19: Alkyl Nitrites (Legal) ORIGIN: Liquid, better known as 'poppers'; inhaled MEDICAL: Gives a strong, joyous rush and a burst of energy for a few minutes which quickly fades and can leave a powerful headache NO. OF UK USERS: 550,000 NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: N/A STREET VALUE: £2-6 for 10ml DANGER RATING: 0.95/3 20: Khat (Legal) ORIGIN: Green-leaf shrub grown in region of Southern Africa MEDICAL: Natural stimulant, its leaves are chewed to produce a feeling of wellbeing and happiness. Popular with the Somali community NO. OF UK USERS: 40,000 NO. OF UK DEATHS IN 2004: Not many STREET VALUE: £4 a bunch DANGER RATING: 0.80/3
August 1, 200618 yr I have tried #2, 5, 9, 11 on that list 2 I only tried one night, 5 I have regularly 9 I gave up long ago 11 I have when I am stressed and need to chill out
August 2, 200618 yr I've only ever had 5, and that's all I'M ever going to have ^_^ I'm surprised it's so high though, it's obviously not made such a big deal of as the others.
August 2, 200618 yr I've tried 5 & 9 (which is disgusting mind you, i only done one and it was yucky)
August 3, 200618 yr 5 & 9 I have quite a bit of alcohol, although haven't been pissed in a seriously long time. :( I have the occasional fag now and again, but I'm not a full time smoker anymore. They are nice though I don't see why people don't like them.
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