Benzodiazepines (benzos) are a group of prescription drugs used to treat anxiety and depression. There are many different types of benzos. They range from short, medium and long-lasting.

New benzos are usually bought from a dealer or online without a prescription. They can appear in 'fake' medication without a person knowing. New benzos can be newly developed substances that are often more risky, or benzos that were developed many years ago but not used medically. While they are 'fake', they can come in a packet that looks genuine. You could be sold a newer more potent benzodiazepine without knowing.

They are sometimes called:

• novel substances
• designer substance
• new psychoactive substances.....