Tranquillisers

What are Tranquillisers?

Tranquillisers are drugs prescribed by doctors to calm patients down and help them sleep if they are experiencing problems of anxiety, depression and insomnia. Their chemical names include Diazepam, Temazapam, Nitrazepam and Flunitrazepam (also known as Rohypnol). Tranquilliser trade names include Valium, Ativan and Mogadon.

Some people misuse tranquillisers in order to counter the effects of stimulant drugs or to ‘space out’ when they are unable to get a fix of alchohol or another drug such as heroin. Users may refer to tranquillisers by different names such as mazzies (Temazapam) or moggies (Mogadon).

Facts and figures

• Only a pharmacist can legally supply tranquillisers, and only to a person who has a doctor’s prescription.
• Possession without a valid prescription is not illegal (except in the case of Temazepam), but supply is illegal and Class C penalties apply.

What tranquillisers do

• Tranquillisers induce feelings of calm and slow the user down mentally, relieving tension and anxiety.
• The user will feel drowsy and become forgetful if the dose is increased.

Dangers and health risks

• Some users crush tablets and inject them: this is extremely dangerous and potentially lethal. Others combine tranquillisers with alcohol and this too can be fatal.
• When under the influence of tranquillisers users are at increased risk of having accidents because their reactions are slowed.
• Some users develop a tolerance; others become addicted and are unable to function without the drug to calm them or help them sleep. Once addicted, they may suffer panic attacks when they try to give up.