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The black market drug killing Victorians 
Crime gangs are flooding the state with black market imported Xanax, a pill that is killing more Victorians than all other illegal drugs combined.
A Herald Sun investigation has found the addictive benzodiazepine drug is being trafficked via social media for $10 a tablet, in doses double the safe legally prescribed level.
Illegal designer "benzos" were almost unheard of before 2018, but now they have become the most lethal form of a new generation of underground drugs in Victoria.
However, it is heroin, meth and cocaine that remain the major priorities for law enforcement and border control authorities in Australia.
Benzodiazepines have killed 1436 Victorians in the past five years — more than the combined total for all other illegal drugs, which stands at 1335 deaths.
Benzodiazepines deaths
Other drugs combined
1436
1335
Drug treatment workers have told the Herald Sun they are seeing the consequences of “designer benzos” purchased illegally and thought to have come from overseas.
They say the drugs are sometimes labelled as Xanax, though there is no indication of what is actually contained in the pills or what dosage they really are.
Janet Shaw, who manages Victoria’s only specialist benzodiazepine treatment service Reconnexion, said the emergence of illegal Xanax-type drugs was “very concerning”.
“
JANET SHAWReconnexion manager
When they’re getting them off the street or on the dark web, we’ve got no control of that process. We can’t manage their withdrawal safely.
Of the 4551 overdose deaths in Victoria between 2011 and 2020, benzodiazepines were involved in 2451 cases, or 53 per cent.
Overdose deaths
Part of the problem is stopping the flow of product. Much of the benzodiazepine being trafficked is suspected of being smuggled into Australia in cargo or arriving in the post.
Victoria Police said benzodiazepines and other abuse-prone pharmaceuticals were an increasing part of the state’s illicit drug market.
“
VICTORIA POLICE
The associated harm caused by the illegal use and supply of these substances (is) a significant concern for Victoria Police.
Words: Mark Buttler, Grant McArthurProducer: Andrew Piva
																																								

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/web-stories/free/herald-sun/how-black-market-xanax-is-killing-more-victorians-than-any-other-drug