The Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) is offering a new e-learning course, “What is Happening on the Streets with Benzos?”, on the use of benzodiazepines in Scotland.

The course is free to access and aims to increase understanding of the escalation of benzodiazepine use, and the associated harms, in Scotland.

Benzodiazepines, also known as “benzos”, is an overarching term for several similar substances which includes diazepam (Valium), etizolam, alprazolam and diclazepam. The use of benzodiazepines in Scotland is of significant concern, with a 734% increase in the number of deaths where benzodiazepines have been implicated in recent years.

The course will outline the current and emerging trends in street and unlicensed benzodiazepines, and will also help participants identify and understand the physical and psychological effects of the drug. Participants will also gain an understanding of the range of benzodiazepines that are prevalent in Scotland, will be able to identify the effects of benzodiazepines, and gain an understanding of harm reduction information associated with these substances.

To access the course, of for further information, please visit the SDF website.