A WHITE PRESSED PILL (‘Xanax’ bar with XANAX press and a 2 press on the back) expected to contain alprazolam.

The pill was found to contain bromonordiazepam instead.

What is bromonordiazepam? It’s a novel benzodiazepine, or ‘Benzo’. Benzos are drugs typically used to sedate and treat anxiety. They’re classified as depressants and can have a very long half-life.

Effects of benzos can include drowsiness, dizziness, memory loss and impaired coordination. Effects and how long they last vary widely with benzos. Overdose risks can include respiratory depression, causing death. Because of this, you should wait longer intervals before using another depressant (over 72hrs in some cases) to avoid the risk of an overdose.

Your risk of harm is significantly increased if using depressants such as alcohol, GHB or opiates with benzos, consuming multiple different benzos in one pill or by consuming multiple benzo pills.

Test your stuff! There is a high prevalence of novel benzos circulating in the counterfeit market. Some counterfeit pharmaceuticals can look very convincing and even be in ‘branded’ packaging that appear authentic.

Xanax is not available from Australian pharmacies, so expect most if not all Xanax bars to be counterfeit, containing novel benzodiazepines instead of or in addition to alprazolam.

Don’t mix it with alcohol or other depressants. Remember, some benzos can have effects that last multiple days after use.

Start low, go slow. Try a test dose first and never use alone.

Be alert for signs of an overdose. Think someone has overdosed?
Call 000 for an ambulance immediately.