RIVM rapport 340001001 Ranking van drugs
RIVM rapport 340001001 Ranking van drugs
RIVM rapport 340001001 Ranking van drugs
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Abstract<br />
<strong>Ranking</strong> of <strong>drugs</strong><br />
A comparison of the harmful effects of <strong>drugs</strong><br />
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (<strong>RIVM</strong>) has performed a risk assessment<br />
on the harmful effects of 17 <strong>drugs</strong> plus that of tobacco and alcohol. These 19 items were ranked<br />
according to their degree of harm. The assessment was performed by a panel of 19 experts who based<br />
their judgement on their own scientific expertise and information derived from the literature. The<br />
assessment focussed on the following three categories: (1) toxicity (acute toxicity and chronic toxicity),<br />
(2) potential for dependency, and (3) social harm at individual and population levels.<br />
The most important conclusions drawn from the assessment are as follows. Firstly, alcohol, tobacco,<br />
heroin and crack scored relatively high on the scale for Total harm, whereas magic mushrooms, LSD<br />
and khat scored relatively low. Secondly, the scores of the Dutch expert panel correspond well with<br />
previous findings from British experts as well as previous advice from the Dutch Coordination point<br />
Assessment Monitoring new <strong>drugs</strong> (CAM). Thirdly, classed as legal <strong>drugs</strong>, alcohol and tobacco have<br />
been judged by the experts as more harmful than many of the illegal <strong>drugs</strong> included in the assessment –<br />
with the exception of heroin and crack. This accounts for the Total harm at individual and population<br />
levels. Finally, regarding Total harm at individual level, cannabis and ecstasy have been assessed by<br />
the experts as moderately harmful.<br />
Key words:<br />
illicit <strong>drugs</strong>, risk assessment, public health, toxicity, health hazard<br />
<strong>RIVM</strong>-<strong>rapport</strong> <strong>340001001</strong> 5