‘Street Benzos’ That Are Killing Scotland

 by Phoebe Clark

Benzodiazepines are pharmaceutical drugs that are similar to valium or diazepam, which are both prescribed for anxiety in the UK. This particular drug however was banned from legal prescription in 2010 to reduce drug deaths. It slows down the central nervous system and can have incredibly dangerous effects when taken with alcohol or other depressants like heroin as it can reduce heart and breathing rates to dangerously low levels. Longer-term effects include cognitive impairment, return of insomnia - ironically as it is supposed to aid sleep - and increase anxious and depressive episodes. 

However, similarly to most other illegal drugs, there became a huge demand within the illegal market to manipulate the gap in the trade. ‘Street Benzos’, as they are widely known, have been especially popular in Scotland as one pill can cost as little as 50p, a low price accessible for the lower and more vulnerable classes and unlike heroin, needs no additional equipment. According to Andrew Horne, who has worked in drug services across the UK, people in other countries take drugs to get high, ‘people in Scotland take drugs to be as near to unconsciousness as they can’ which makes cheap, effective and lethal drugs very popular. An overdose of ‘Street Benzos’ causes side effects such as sedation and drowsiness; confusion and blurred thoughts; slurred speech; loss of muscle control and a coma. 

On the 15th of April, Nicola Sturgeon has promised 50 million pounds in the SNP manifesto for interventions to bring deaths down. Just in 2019, 1,264 people died drug-related deaths in Scotland, more than twice as many from five years earlier. This is the hidden epidemic that is ravaging Scotland, especially people in the 35-54 age range who started at a younger age and kept at it as dependence on this drug occurs after only 4 weeks of regular use. Like with most drugs, the more regularly taken, the more immune the body becomes and therefore the more that is needed to feel the full effect. The ‘Cold Turkey’ process can be fatal when attempting to reduce dependence on Benzodiazepines with an extensive list of side effects including sweating, shortness of breath and muscle cramps. More serious effects include seizures, anorexia, hallucinations and gastrointestinal problems. 

The Scottish Drug Death Taskforce has a plan to combat the issue. On the 15th of April, Nicola Sturgeon has promised 50 million pounds in the SNP manifesto for interventions to bring deaths down. The Scottish Drugs Forum aims to reach out to the vulnerable and addicted, especially those who are subject to poly-drug use, through groups and networks. Throughout this year and presented in December, national data is being gathered on harmful outcomes of the drug that includes hospitalisation as well as death as well as research and developing the key components of a new Scottish drug-checking program.