A white pressed pill (‘Xanax’ bar with XANAX press) expected to contain alprazolam.

The pill was found to contain clonazolam instead.

What is clonazolam? It’s a novel benzodiazepine, or ‘Benzo’. Benzos are typically used to sedate and treat anxiety. Clonazolam has a strong sedative effect, known for its high potency.

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 72 hours in some cases) to avoid risk of an overdose.

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

Test your stuff! There is 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 isn’t 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.