NEW STUDY SHOWS ALCOHOL MORE DANGEROUS THAN DRUGS

A new study out of England indicates alcohol is more dangerous than pot... and even Heroin for that matter. News Channel 3s Matt Mendes talked to some local residents and the Humboldt County Coroner today.
Alcohol is more dangerous than marijuana. That's according to a new British survey paid for by Britains Center for Crime and Justice Studies. But here in Humboldt County, the coroner says he disagrees.
"I would say we have more deaths with drug overdose than alcohol," said Humboldt County Coroner, Dave Parris.
The study even says harder drugs like meth, ecstasy, and LSD scored far lower than alcohol.
"I have three in-laws that have died of alcoholism, liver cancer, alcohol related deaths and lived in a family where alcohol has been very prevalent and caused a lot of problems," said Freshwater resident, Sarah Jackson.
"I've seen a lot of people out there who drink. They have been driving crazy, more so than I have seen with any kind of drug," said Redway resident, Peg Jacobs.
Here's how the study worked. Analysts researched how addictive each drug is, including alcohol and how it harms the human body. Plus environmental damage, the role in breaking up families, and economic costs including health care, social services, and prisons.
"It takes a substantial amount of alcohol to overdose and die. Where as with meth or cocaine, one simple dosage that may be unknown to the user could kill them," said Parris.
But regardless, this study could open new doors especially since supporters of Proposition 19, to legalize marijuana, are already working to get it back on the ballot by 2012.