      
           THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF BENZODIAZEPINES

AKA: tranx, tems, jellies, eggs, Valium, Librium, Ativan, Serenid, Mogadon, 
Dalmane, Halcion, Norminson, diazepam, chlordiazepoxide, lorazepam, 
oxazepam, nitrazepam, flurazepam, triazolam, temazepam.

Price: about 1 for four 5mg tablets or capsules.

Form: pills or capsules, except temazepam which can be injected.

Duration of high: three to six hours.

Legal status: prescription-only drugs; it is illegal to supply them for any 
other reason. However, it is not an offence to possess them, even if you 
have no prescription, unless they have been illicitly produced.

History: the most commonly prescribed drugs with around 16 million handed 
out in 1992. This figure was down from 30m in 1979 because of concerns 
about the long-term effects and the risk of dependency.

Highs: leave you feeling calm and relaxed but with no great high. The 
exception is Valium which can make you feel slightly euphoric.

Lows: lethargy. It is possible to take a lethal overdose. Continual use of 
the drug can lead to dependency and attempts to stop use may cause feelings 
of sickness and irritability. After regular use, sudden cessation may be 
dangerous.

Tips: do not take if pregnant as you may give birth to a baby suffering 
withdrawal symptoms. Never share needles id injecting because of the risk 
of AIDS.

Taken from the magazine TimeOut No.1239 May 18-25 1994

Typed by Dr. Benway

