Increasing diversion of prescribed benzodiazepines and Z-drugs to new psychoactive substances
V. 172 N. 2 (2021), Letter
V. 172 N. 2 (2021)

Increasing diversion of prescribed benzodiazepines and Z-drugs to new psychoactive substances: doi: 10.7417/CT.2021.2296

Letter
Pubblicato 2021-03-16
Alessandro Del Rio
Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic, and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Silvia Graziano
National Centre on Addiction and Doping, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
Roberta Tittarelli
Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
Federica Umani-Ronchi
Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
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Parole chiave

benzodiazepines
Z-drugs
new psychoactive substances
drug diversion

Abstract

Over the last few years reports have indicated an increase in the number, type and availability of new psychoactive substances belonging to the benzodiazepine class. These molecules may pose high risks to users, since the majority have never undergone clinical trials or tests so their pharmacology and toxicology is largely unknown. However the new drug scenario emerging from the COVID-19 global pandemic seems to play a role in increasing the diversion of prescribed benzodiazepines and Z-drug. A brief presentation of this phenomenon is hereby presented. The awareness and response activities at national and international levels related to this issue should be enforced.

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