DMCA
Drug harms in the UK: a multicriteria decision analysis (2010)
BibTeX
@MISC{Phd10drugharms,
author = {L D Phillips Phd and Prof David and J Nutt and Neuropsychopharmacology Unit},
title = {Drug harms in the UK: a multicriteria decision analysis},
year = {2010}
}
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Abstract
Background Proper assessment of the harms caused by the misuse of drugs can inform policy makers in health, policing, and social care. We aimed to apply multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) modelling to a range of drug harms in the UK. Method Members of the Independent Scientifi c Committee on Drugs, including two invited specialists, met in a 1-day interactive workshop to score 20 drugs on 16 criteria: nine related to the harms that a drug produces in the individual and seven to the harms to others. Drugs were scored out of 100 points, and the criteria were weighted to indicate their relative importance. Findings MCDA modelling showed that heroin, crack cocaine, and metamfetamine were the most harmful drugs to individuals (part scores 34, 37, and 32, respectively), whereas alcohol, heroin, and crack cocaine were the most harmful to others (46, 21, and 17, respectively). Overall, alcohol was the most harmful drug (overall harm score 72), with heroin (55) and crack cocaine (54) in second and third places. Interpretation These fi ndings lend support to previous work assessing drug harms, and show how the improved scoring and weighting approach of MCDA increases the diff erentiation between the most and least harmful drugs. However, the fi ndings correlate poorly with present UK drug classifi cation, which is not based simply on considerations of harm. Funding Centre for Crime and Justice Studies (UK).
Keyphrases
drug harm multicriteria decision analysis crack cocaine harmful drug fi ndings diff erentiation whereas alcohol finding mcda modelling 1-day interactive workshop social care overall harm score relative importance justice study invited specialist independent scientifi background proper assessment method member policy maker funding centre third place present uk drug classifi cation previous work improved scoring
