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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Drugs: the real deal
The Independent
Wednesday 02 Aug 2006 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 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 Widely prescribed as sleeping pills but dangerous in overdose and now superseded by safer drugs NO.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 http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/article1207619.ece
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