Date Added: 23/10/2020
Incidents are being reported locally of people suffering significant adverse physical reactions, overdoses and death, potentially related to the misuse of illicit benzodiazepines.
This type illicit medication will contain a number of potentially toxic ingredients or psychoactive molecules at really high concentration and the risk of death or overdose is really high.
• Watch carefully for the signs of an overdose like drowsiness, shallow breathing, dizziness, poor balance, muscle weakness, fainting and unconsciousness.
• call 999 immediately for an ambulance
• if you know what to do - give them any available naloxone if you think they have taken opioids
• give immediate first aid basic life support (recovery position and monitor the airway, breathing and pulse)
• do not assume that a person who is still functioning normally will not worsen later – stay with them until the ambulance arrives
• avoid buying or using tablets sold as benzodiazepines
• don’t use any combination of benzodiazepines, opioids such as heroin and gabapentinoids such as gabapentin and pregabalin, with or without alcohol
• if you’re going to use any drugs, make sure someone is around when you take them (if you overdose alone nobody can help you)
• be extra cautious about the sources from which you get your drugs, and about the drugs you take, test the dose by starting with a small test dose and waiting at least an hour before taking more
• seek treatment for your drug use if it is causing you problems and you are not already in treatment contact your nearest single point of contact service:
Reach Christchurch Adults: 0800 043 4656 or Young People: 0800 0434656
EDAS Poole Adults: 01202 735777 or Young People: 01202 741414
BEAT Bournemouth Adults: 01202 55885 or Young People: 01202 001342
