Newsletter
par
The Canadian Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (CCENDU) & the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA)
Date de publication
2025
Géographie
Canada
Langue de la ressource
English
Texte disponible en version intégrale
Oui
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Non
Évalué par des pairs
No
L’objectif
CCENDU, co-ordinated by the CCSA, publishes this newsletter regularly to inform people living in Canada about emerging substance use issues and trends. This issue is on non-medical benzodiazepines (NMBs).
Constatations/points à retenir
Detection of NMBs in the unregulated drug supply is quite common across Canada overall. However, there are fluctuations over time, and new NMBs emerge and replace each other often. Some people use NMBs intentionally, but others are not aware of NMBs being in other drugs they are taking.
Implications and response options reported by CCENDU network members and partners include:
- Combining NMBs and opioids increases the risk of drug toxicity and can lead to prolonged sedation and memory loss.
- Regular use of NMBs can create tolerance. Stopping regular use can lead to life threatening withdrawal, increasing the need for updated clinical protocols for managing substance use disorders.
- Maximizing the health and safety of people who use drugs (PWUD) requires a comprehensive response to the unpredictability and toxicity of the unregulated supply.
Mots clés
Benzodiazepines
Drug checking
Harm reduction
Illegal drugs
Overdose
Withdrawal
Substitution/OAT
