Troubles link to sleeping pill misuse
More people have become seriously unwell after consuming sleeping pills which had not been prescribed by doctors, health chiefs warn.
The Troubles could be partly to blame for Northern Ireland's huge problem with prescription drugs.
Victoria Creasy, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Senior Officer with the Public Health Agency (PHA), says it's no secret that Northern Ireland has a problem when it comes to prescribed medication:
"Perscription drugs have been an issue in Northern Ireland for many years and are often linked to deaths. And we see that more over here than you would across the water."
The region has the highest rates in the entirety of the UK, and the PHA says that may be to do with our troubled past.
Victoria Creasy says the tightened security here during the worst days of violence may actually be partly to blame for the crisis:
"It's largely a historical issue. Previously in Northern Ireland, because of the troubles, we had much higher levels of security, so it was much harder for illicit drugs to get in, and so people were more inclined to misuse prescription drugs.
"And that happened at a time when people were suffering a lot of anxiety, and so forth, from the Troubles and people were being prescribed drugs like 'benzos'."
Benzodiazepines are the latest drug to feature among reports of problems here.
The sleeping pills are suspected to have caused several deaths last year, although the official figures haven't yet been released, abd were reposnsible for 63 fatalities in 2015.
The PHA says it's doing what it can, but with an ever-expanding illicit markets for these drugs, the police, justice department and health services are fighting an uphill battle.
Counterfeit benzodiazepines are also circulating and those who feel ill after taking them have been urged to seek urgent medical help.
Joe Brogan, assistant director of pharmacy and medicines management at the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB), said: These drugs have many potential side effects and may increase the risk of suicide in some people.
They are particularly dangerous when used in combination with other prescribed or illicit drugs such as pregabalin or heroin, and they are often a factor in lethal overdose, alone or in combination.''
Benzodiazepines include drugs such as diazepam, nitrazepam, temazepam and alprazolam.
The Board has received a number of reports of increasing use of the drug alprazolam (brand name Xanax) even though it is rarely prescribed by GPs in Northern Ireland.
Reports also suggest that counterfeit benzodiazepines are circulating.
The Board said: "Initial reports via Damis - the Drug and Alcohol Monitoring and Information System - suggest that a number of people have become seriously unwell after consuming benzos that were not prescribed to them, and in some cases they were taken with other drugs.''
Deaths relating to benzo use increased from 45 in 2014 to 63 in 2015, the organisation added.
Victoria Creasy says "The fact is, all drugs carry risks, therefore the PHA strongly recommends that you do not take anything unless it has been prescribed to you by a medical professional and in accordance with your prescription.
If you have taken drugs or have misused a prescribed medication and are feeling unwell, please seek medical help urgently.'