Police warn of dangers of using counterfeit diazepam
By Ian Birch
There are media reports today (02/07/12) that counterfeit Scottish diazepam -- also known as "benzos" or "mother's little helper" -- is putting users in grave danger.
It is being stressed that those who are prescribed diazepam (better known by its original tradename Valium) need not be concerned about the supply of legitimate drugs at this stage, although pharmacists and doctors are being warned to be on the look out for fakes. However the increasing uptake of benzos on the party scene is of great concern as benzos are highly addictive and dangerous if misused and have incredibly unpleasant withdrawal 
symptoms.
It is thought that, in the UK, most counterfeit benzos orignate from Scotland, where a major police investigation is underway. Legitimately prescribed benzos are also known to be highly problematic to stop taking, and the drug and alcohol addiction charity Addaction is warning dealers are selling tablets for as little as 50p each.
The counterfeit trade appears to be highly sophisticated. Diazeam being sold illegally often being stamped with the same logos as genuine diazepam.
"We are hearing numerous reports of tablets with these names stamped across them," Gareth Balmer from Addaction's service in Dundee told The Guardian newspaper.
"It could well be the case that some, or even all, are counterfeits and contain varying doses of diazepam. Counterfeiting causes a range of problems, not least because the user does not know what drug it is they are taking, how strong it is and how their body will react to it."
Please do continue your perscribed dose of any medication and talk to your healthcare provider if at all concerned. We at Mental Healthy know that counterfeit or illegal imitations of these and other drugs are sadly widely available. We urge anyone who is wanting to use such drugs for legitimate medical purposes, to speak with their GP and stay away from any medication that is not from a legitimate source.
See here for a real-life story about overcoming tranquilliser addiction
