harmful drug

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harmful drug" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a substance that has negative effects on health or well-being. Example: "The government has implemented stricter regulations to combat the distribution of harmful drugs in our communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There is clear scientific and medical evidence that cannabis is a harmful drug which can damage people's mental and physical health, and harms communities".

The Guardian

"There is clear scientific and medical evidence that cannabis is a harmful drug which can damage people's mental and physical health, and harms individuals and communities".

Vice

Alcohol is rated as the most harmful drug.

The Guardian - Opinion

Drug use is harmful; drug testing is not.

The New York Times

They also monitor drugs dispensed to consumers, to prevent harmful drug interactions.

The New York Times

"Alcohol ranks as the fifth most harmful drug after heroin, cocaine, barbiturates and methadone.

The Guardian

With the increase in shopping choices and ease of use, the chances for harmful drug interactions will rise, said Mr. Mack of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy.

The New York Times

C8 Business Digest C1 EDITORIAL A34-35 Editorials: New York's harmful drug laws; the war in Sierra Leone; harassment in the senior ranks; computer-generated havoc.

The New York Times

There is clear scientific and medical evidence that cannabis is a harmful drug which can damage people's mental and physical health.

The Guardian

In our report we came to several conclusions: Cannabis is a harmful drug and there are concerns about the widespread use of cannabis amongst young people.

The Guardian

Duesberg contends that to prevent AIDS — and even to cure the disease — it is necessary only to eat properly and abstain from harmful drug use.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "harmful drugs", be specific about the types of harm they cause, such as mental health issues, physical damage, or community impact, to provide a clearer understanding of the risks involved.

Common error

Avoid making broad statements about all drugs being equally harmful. Differentiate between substances and their specific risks to provide accurate and nuanced information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harmful drug" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It is used to categorize and describe substances that pose a risk to health or well-being. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "harmful drug" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe substances that pose a risk to health and well-being. As Ludwig highlights, it is frequently used in news, media, and scientific contexts to inform and warn about potential dangers. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's important to be specific about the types of harm caused by particular drugs to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives like "dangerous drug" or "toxic drug" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dangerous drug

Replaces "harmful" with "dangerous", emphasizing the potential for severe adverse effects.

toxic drug

Substitutes "harmful" with "toxic", highlighting the poisonous nature of the substance.

detrimental drug

Replaces "harmful" with "detrimental", indicating a negative impact on health or well-being.

injurious drug

Uses "injurious" instead of "harmful", stressing the potential for causing injury or damage.

adverse drug

Focuses on the "adverse" effects of the drug, highlighting undesirable outcomes.

deleterious drug

Replaces "harmful" with "deleterious", indicating a substance that is damaging or destructive.

unhealthy drug

Uses "unhealthy" to describe the drug, emphasizing the negative impact on overall health.

risky drug

Substitutes "harmful" with "risky", stressing the potential for hazardous or dangerous consequences.

unwholesome drug

Replaces "harmful" with "unwholesome", suggesting that the drug is not conducive to good health or well-being.

damaging drug

Focuses on the "damaging" effects of the drug, emphasizing the potential for causing harm.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "harmful drug"?

Alternatives include "dangerous drug", "toxic drug", or "detrimental drug" depending on the specific context and type of harm you want to emphasize.

Is it accurate to describe cannabis as a "harmful drug"?

While some sources, including government statements, consider cannabis a "harmful drug" due to potential mental and physical health risks, others argue it's less harmful than substances like alcohol or tobacco. The classification depends on the context and perspective.

How does the term "harmful drug" relate to discussions about drug policy?

The classification of a substance as a "harmful drug" often influences drug policies, such as legalization, decriminalization, and public health interventions. Debates frequently revolve around the extent of harm and the appropriate response.

What should I consider when writing about "harmful drugs" in scientific or medical contexts?

In scientific and medical writing, it's crucial to provide specific details about the type of drug, the nature of its harm (e.g., "harmful drug interactions", side effects), and the evidence supporting these claims.