Figures obtained by the Victoria Derbyshire programme suggest that the number of illegal Diazepam that was seized whilst entering the UK illegally has doubled.
1.3 million pills were intercepted by our UK’s border force, which was a rise from 545,000 in 2017. Diazepam, more commonly known as Vallium, is known for it’s calming effects, and is prescribed to people with a variety of medical conditions, including sleep disorders. The fact that the amount of pills being seized has doubled is concerning, as Doctors say the drug can be very dangerous, and the authenticity of the drug “can’t be trusted” if bought online.
The medicines regulator said selling such drugs was a “serious offence”.
These figures, obviously, do not account for the pills that got into the country and onto the streets, and fake vallium; pills that didn’t test positive for the compound.
Valium is considered dangerous when abused, and going “cold turkey” can cause cognitive problems that may persist for six months or longer.
The NHS doesn’t recommend patients use the drug for more than 4 weeks, and addicts frequently say that it “ruined their life”.
“It’s hard to see how we’ll tackle this because availability online is so easy,” a health official.
“More needs to be done through the health service, the enforcement agencies and public health departments.”
Possessing the drug without a prescription carries a maximum prison sentence of two years.
