Experts have warned of a “tidal wave” of demand for illegal versions of benzodiazepine as the number of deaths linked to the anxiety drug tripled in a year.
Government figures show there were 171 deaths linked to “street benzos” in 2021 – up from 62 in 2020.
Legal benzodiazepine drugs, such as diazepam and temazepam, are generally prescribed to treat anxiety and insomnia, as well as physical issues like muscle spasms.
