Misuse of two prescription drugs typically used to treat epilepsy, pain or anxiety has been significantly increased, a survey has shown.
Pregabalin and gabapentin, which are being commonly used alongside other drugs, including alcohol and opiates such as heroin, are easily available on the illicit market in 25mg to 800mg capsules, changing hands for between 50p and £2.
Drug workers told the UK Street Drug Survey by charity DrugScope that users have displayed extreme intoxication and risky behaviours while on the drugs.
Deaths involving pregabalin and gabapentin are on the rise. The Office for National Statistics told DrugScope that pregabalin and gabapentin were mentioned on 41 death certificates in 2013.
Last September, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, the Government's drug adviser, warned pregabalin cannot be banned because patients need it.
The charity also raised concern about rising drug-related deaths after findings from the survey suggest that many of the key risk factors have been heightened in 2014, including the purity of drugs.
Data published by the ONS revealed that 1,957 drug misuse deaths were registered in 2013, up 20% on the figure for 2012, and deaths related to heroin or morphine, the substances most commonly involved in drug poisoning deaths, rose 32%.
Source: Belfast Telegraph, 15/01/15
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