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The information on these pages is designed to give you and idea of what drugs do and the risks involved. As a service, we accept that drug use is part of the World and Island we live in today and are here to help if you need us.

Drug use is risky, there are no regulations on illegal drugs (such as strength or content) and so you’ll never know what you’ve really bought. We want you to be safe and make informed decisions – it could affect the rest of your life. If your drugs use, or that of a friend, family member or colleague is causing you concern, don’t be ashamed or afraid to get in touch if you need help or support.
 
 
 
MINOR TRANQUILLISERS
(Also known as, trances, jellies, benzo’s)
  
CLASS C DRUGS which means that:

Possession is NOW illegal without a prescription.

Maximum penalty for possession would be 2 years imprisonment + fine

Maximum penalty for supply (including giving to friends) currently 5 years imprisonment and fine
 

What are they? There is a large list of Minor tranquillisers often from the Benzodiazepine family, such as Nitrazepam (Mogadon), Diazepam (Vallium), Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), Lorazepam and Temazepam, to name a few. They come in tablet or capsule form and are usually swallowed but sometimes injected.

Why would someone use them? These are legally prescribed by doctors to reduce anxiety, help with sleep problems and as a muscle relaxant. (NOT to be confused with major tranquillisers
 
 
used to treat mental health problems.) Minor tranquillisers are also used by many people for whom they weren’t prescribed - either as a come down from stimulant drugs or as substitutes for other drugs.  

What do they do? Tranquillisers are sedatives and therefore a ‘Depressant drug.’ Their medical use is to reduce anxiety and make people feel more relaxed and calm. Because of the sedative effect, they slow down your reaction time and can make you feel tired, forgetful and lethargic. This can increase your likelihood of an accident so it is dangerous to drive whilst taking them. The effects can last up to 6 hours.

Because of their depressant effects, whether you’ve been prescribed them or not –
DO NOT MIX with other depressants like alcohol, heroin, methadone etc as the effects could depress your breathing so much it stops – for good.

Taking tranquillisers for a few months may lead to a dependence on them. People can become aggressive and depressed and behaviour may become unpredictable. If you’ve been taking them for a while and want to come off – DO NOT STOP SUDDENLY – contact your doctor or drug service.

Injecting benzodiazepines like Temazepam is dangerous and puts you at risk of abscesses, septicaemia, loss of limbs, overdose and death.

Overdose risk? Yes – The chances increase when mixed with alcohol or other depressant drugs.

FURTHER TRANQUILLISER LINKS:

Council For Involuntary Tranquilliser Addiction (CITA)