Drug classification rethink urged

The designation of drugs in classes A, B and C should be replaced with one more closely reflecting the harm they cause, a committee of MPs has said.
The Science Select Committee said the present system was based on historical assumptions, not scientific assessment.
BBC News has seen details of a system devised by government advisers which was considered by former Home Secretary Charles Clarke but is now on hold.

It rates some illegal drugs as less harmful than alcohol and tobacco.

MOST HARMFUL DRUGS

Drugs Top 20

1. Heroin
2. Cocaine
3. Barbiturates
4. Street Methadone
5. Alcohol
6. Ketamine
7. Benzodiazepines
8. Amphetamines
9. Tobacco
10. Buprenorphine
11. Cannabis
12. Solvents
13. 4–MTA
14. LSD
15. Methylphenidate
16. Anabolic Steroids
17. GNB
18. Ecstasy
19. Alkyl nitrites
20. Khat

CURRENT DRUG CLASSIFICATION
Class A
Cocaine/crack
Heroin
Ecstasy
LSD
Magic mushrooms
Crystal meth (pending)
Class A/B
Amphetamines
Class C
Cannabis
Ketamine


Source: BBC News