Right on schedule for my kaupapa, the University of Otago published some stunning information, so I'm co-opting this research for my sixth reason why Dry July is a good idea.
Day | Thursday 6th July |
|---|---|
Days without alcohol | 21 |
Funds raised | $2,362.30 |
Badges earned | Top of the world |
I'm feeling | Detoxed |
Alcohol is more harmful than any other psychoactive substance
The University of Otago report makes er, sobering reading. It says that alcohol is the most harmful psychoactive substance, the next most harmful is methamphetamine, perhaps better known as P.
I thought it might be good idea to check out what a psychoactive substance actually is. I mean I thought I would know, right? But alcohol as a psychoactive substance is a little confronting for me.
The Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 was surprising unhelpful in defining a psychoactive substance as something that produces a psychoactive effect. I found this a bit circular!
The US National Cancer Institute was more helpful, it says a psychoactive substance is "A drug or other substance that affects how the brain works and causes changes in mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings, or behavior", and lists alcohol as an example.
Ok so that's settled, but more harmful than hard drugs like meth? What does "harm" mean?
The researchers used a complex method for evaluating harm, which is categorised into direct harm to the user (aka drinker), the harm users cause directly to others arising from their use, and the harm caused to the country as whole from all users. The last includes harm to the community perception of itself, environmental damage and direct economic costs such as crime, health and social services etc.
Overall the news is not good. Alcohol is the worst drug ever when the total effect of all those factors is considered. And not by a little: Alcohol gets a total harm score of 88. Meth is 71.
You can read a report on the research here. The chart on that page is confronting. the details in the report itself are even worse.
Nearly 1 in 5 of all adults and a much higher proportion of some populations are drinking at hazardous levels. These findings are consistent with similar research overseas, so it isn't just us Kiwis.
My sixth reason for doing Dry July. I promise I'll stop giving you the bad news soon.
You can get behind my campaign by donating here
Commenti