Newsletter
by
The Canadian Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (CCENDU) & the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA)
Release Date
2025
Geography
Canada
Language of Resource
English
Full Text Available
Yes
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
No
Peer Reviewed
No
Objective
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).
Findings/Key points
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.
Keywords
Benzodiazepines
Drug checking
Harm reduction
Illegal drugs
Overdose
Withdrawal
Substitution/OAT
