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Benzodiazapines
(Bennies)
Benzodiazepines, often referred to
as “bennies,” are a series of sedatives used to treat
anxiety, panic attacks, short-term sleep disorders,
insomnia, and seizures. While there are a number of
prescription drugs in this category that are abused, the
two most commonly abused drugs, accounting for
77.46-77.6% of all police seizures from January-June in
2003-2004, are Valium® and Xanax®.
Abuse of “bennies” often leads to suicide (11% of men
and 23% of women), serious mental illness, social
deterioration, and cerebral atrophy. Users might also
display the physical signs of alcoholism. Nearly half of
the drug abuse related emergency visits involving
benzodiazepines are the result of suicide attempts. The
highest rates of benzodiazepine abuse are among people
aged 26-44, but abuse among the 18-19 year-old
population increased between 1995 and 2002. This class
of drug is among the primary pharmaceutical drugs abused
in the state of Indiana. Benzodiazepines are a Schedule
IV controlled substance.
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