The Growing Danger of Street Benzodiazepines in U.K

The Growing Danger of Street Benzodiazepines in U.K

Drug-related deaths are a tragic and growing concern across the United Kingdom. Among the substances causing this rise are ‘street’ benzodiazepines, or unlicensed drugs designed to mimic prescription medications. These illicit substances present a serious risk to public health, contributing to increasing numbers of fatalities, particularly among vulnerable populations. While deaths following street BZD use are increasing, most BZDs detected in deaths were prescribable BZDs that were often illicitly sourced. See more

An illicit market once populated by diverted prescription medications is now dominated by a toxic supply of NPS-type benzodiazepines or so-called ‘street benzos’ which have increased the risk environment for people who use drugs. (Source: ScienceDirect)

What Are Street Benzodiazepines?

Street benzodiazepines are chemically similar to prescription drugs like diazepam but are illegal and unregulated. Some are created to bypass legal restrictions, while others are counterfeit versions of medicines. These substances are often stronger and more unpredictable than their licensed counterparts. Many have undergone no safety testing, meaning their effects and risks are poorly understood.

Unlike medication dispensed by healthcare professionals, street benzodiazepines can be more potent, shorter-acting, and highly addictive. Their unregulated nature adds to the danger, as users often have no way of knowing what they are consuming.

The Alarming Rise in Deaths

Between 2010 and 2020, deaths involving benzodiazepines more than doubled in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. While prescription benzodiazepines remain the most frequently detected drugs in such cases, fatalities linked to street benzodiazepines have surged by over 1200% during the same period. This increase is particularly concerning in Northern Ireland, where these substances have become a significant driver of drug-related deaths.

Nearly all deaths involving benzodiazepines occur alongside the use of other substances, such as opioids or other central nervous system depressants. Polydrug use heightens the risk of dangerous side effects like respiratory depression, amplifying the toxicity of benzodiazepines and increasing the likelihood of fatal overdoses.

A Threat to Vulnerable Communities

Deaths linked to street benzodiazepines disproportionately affect men, people living in deprived areas, and those struggling with substance dependency. This is not accidental—street drugs are often distributed in areas of higher social and economic vulnerability. These drugs exploit individuals who are already at risk, turning challenging circumstances into life-threatening situations.

The toxic potency of street benzodiazepines makes them particularly harmful to communities struggling with addiction or economic hardships. Unlike regulated medications, these substances lack any form of quality control, further increasing the risks for those who consume them.

A Clear Message

The dramatic increase in deaths involving street benzodiazepines is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by these drugs. They represent a growing public health threat, exacerbating existing struggles with addiction and societal inequality. By spreading awareness about these risks and encouraging healthier, substance-free lifestyles, we can collectively work toward a safer future.

Staying away from dangerous drugs like street benzodiazepines isn’t just about looking after yourself – it’s also about keeping your family safe and helping your community. By choosing to avoid these substances, we can create a world where people don’t rely on harmful drugs, and we lose fewer lives to preventable tragedies.

Source: Online Library

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