Tranquillisers are prescribed medications used to treat anxiety and insomnia. Tranquillisers include Benzodiazepines (Benzos), Diazepam (Valium), Lorazepam (Ativan), Chlordiazepoxide (Librium), Nitrazepam (Mogadon), Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) and Temazepam and are prescribed as tablets, capsules, injections and suppositories.
THE EFFECTS
- Calming
- Makes you feel relaxed and less anxious
- Higher doses can make you sleepy, forgetful or confused
THE RISKS
- Upset stomach
- Higher doses are required to achieve the same high
- Addictive substances
- Physical dependence requires long detoxification period
- Injecting increases the risk of viral-infections including Hepatitis and HIV
- Injecting temazepam (jellies) can block veins resulting in DBT, loss of limbs or death
- Overdosing on benzos, or mixing with opiates and/or alcohol can result in death.
THE LAW
All benzodiazepines are Prescription Only medicines under the Medicines Act. This means they can only be legally supplied by a pharmacist in accordance with a doctors prescription. They are also controlled as a class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. This also makes it illegal to supply them to someone else, the maximum penalty being fourteen years imprisonment and a fine. Until recently, possession was not an arrestable offence if you did not have a prescription, except for Rohypnol and temazepam. Now police can arrest an individual in possession of any minor tranquilliser who cannot show a legitimate prescription for them.
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act possession brings with it a maximum sentence of two years and an unlimited fine or both. Selling them on can bring fourteen years and/or fine for trafficking.
If you or your loved one would like help with addiction, or if you would like to discuss how a crisis intervention might be beneficial, please call 08456 446 041 for a free consultation, or complete an online self-assessment by clicking here.