The Public Health Agency (PHA) and Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) are warning of the dangers of misusing benzodiazepines (benzos) and are urging those who feel unwell after taking them to seek medical help urgently.
The most recently published drug death figures show that deaths relating to benzo use increased from 45 in 2014 to 63 in 2015.
The warning comes after initial reports via DAMIS – the Drug and Alcohol Monitoring and Information System – suggest that a number of people have become seriously unwell after consuming benzos that were not prescribed to them, and in some cases they were taking with other drugs.
Joe Brogan, Assistant Director Pharmacy and Medicines Management at the HSCB, said, “Benzodiazepines include drugs such as diazepam, nitrazepam, temazepam and alprazolam. These drugs have many potential side effects and may increase the risk of suicide in some people.
Source: Newry Times, 30/01/18
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