Undoubtedly, every drug is dangerous if we look a wider picture. But still, which is the most dangerous drug in the world which is biting the majority with its deadly sting?

A drug classification system might lead you to think that drugs like heroin, crack cocaine or crystal meth are more dangerous due to their frightening addictive qualities.

However, despite the high addictive properties of those drugs, which are indeed very dangerous and most likely to ruin lives of many people, they still do not make it to the top list of the world’s most dangerous drugs.

Then, which drug took the top position?

The one which took the lead position will leave you more than shocked. According to a new study by scientists, the most dangerous drug on Earth is none other than alcohol.

Yes, you read that correctly – alcohol. That completely legal substance which you can enjoy down your local pub. It may seem like a surprising conclusion but, according to IFL Science, the result comes down to a dizzying range of factors.

20 Drugs were studied to find the most harmful one!

The study carried out by the British Government’s former chief drugs advisor David Nutt and the European Group scientists took sixteen parameters of harm into consideration and examined the direct effect of the drugs on the user.

The list of factors included everything from the likelihood of dying, criminal activities, dependence, impairment of mental functions, loss of things like your house or job, physical injury, and even the economic cost to a country. The effect on the society around those under influence was also taken into account. That’s how alcohol comes out as the worst of the worst both in Britain and in Europe, although heroin and crack cocaine came in at second and third on the list.

3.3 million deaths each year due to Alcohol

Around 3.3 million deaths every year are caused by the harmful use of alcohol, according to the World Health Organization. That’s 5.9% of all deaths annually – which works out at a shocking rate of one death every 10 seconds.

Considering these facts, it shouldn’t be such a surprise that alcohol is actually more dangerous than many other drugs on the list.