A conference heard that abuse of both drugs was linked to wider issues of gang intimidation and violence.
The Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign hosted a conference yesterday with local projects on the situation regarding use of benzodiazepines (a group of tranquillisers), and crack cocaine.
Citywide co-ordinator Anna Quigley said that a survey they conducted of 21 local drug projects found “benzodiazepine and tablet use was widespread”.
She said that while most of the projects were in Dublin, they included community groups in counties Waterford, Cork, Tipperary and Wicklow.
She said the main benzodiazepine drugs mentioned were Valium, Xanax (including Xanax bars) and Zimovane. Xanax bars are the highest dosage of the medication and come in long, thin pills that can be divided.
Benzodiazepines are legally prescribed by GPs, but are often sold illicitly on the street.
Ms Quigley said counterfeit tablets were also in circulation and that no one knew what they contained or their strength.
Source: Conor Ryan, The Irish Examiner, 31/05/18
Safer Student Nights
eBulletin
Poll
