Tranquillisers
The effects, the risks, the law.
Slang:
Benzos, eggs, jellies, norries, vallies, moggies, mazzies, roofies and downers.
Product names include:
Valium, Ativan, Mogadon ('moggies'), Librium, Rohypnol, Normison. Chemical names include: diazepam, lorazepam, nitrazepam, chlordiazepoxide, flunitrazepam, temazepam ('mazzies'/'jellies').
Background:
Tranquillisers (benzodiazepines) are prescribed by doctors in the treatment of anxiety, depression, tension problems, and sleeping disorders. They are misused by some people to counter the effects of stimulant drugs, or taken in combination with alcohol or heroin. Tranquillisers come in tablets or capsules that are swallowed. Some users inject Temazepam to intensify the effects.
The effects:
- In small doses, tranquillisers can relieve anxiety.
- Increasing the quantity leads to drowsiness.
- Depending on the amount used the effects can last for three to six hours.
The risks:
- With repeated use, tolerance to tranquillisers can quickly develop. This means users need to take more to get the same effect.
- Users may then find themselves dependent on the drug.
- Withdrawal from tranquillisers isn't easy resulting in irritability, nausea, and insomnia. In some cases, there is a risk of convulsions.
- If combined with other drugs, especially alcohol, fatal overdose can occur.
The law:
- Possession is not illegal without a prescription (except in the case of Temazepam).
- It is an offence, however, to possess tranquillisers for supply, or allow premises to be used for the production or supply. (Class C penalties apply).
If you are planning on taking tranquillisers:
- Avoid mixing benzos with any other drugs, particularly other depressants such as alcohol and heroin.
- Benzodiazepines are among the most dependence-forming of drugs. The dose has to be regularly upped to get the same effect and withdrawal symptoms include panic attacks and severe anxiety. "Cold Turkey" on benzos is extremely dangerous and frequently proves fatal. If you're using benzos daily and wish to reduce, you should do so only under medical supervision.
