Reducing the harm

The Drug Foundation’s message is clear: no drug use is the safest drug use. But we realise there will be occasions when people ignore warnings and use drugs. In order to limit the harm from their drug use, we provide information about effective methods of drug harm minimisation. Such information directly benefits the person using drugs, and also protects the wider community.

The combined effects of benzodiazepines and other central nervous system depressants such as alcohol can be very dangerous, leading to unconsciousness, and on rare occasions, to death. Anyone taking benzodiazepines should not drink alcohol and should check with their physician before using any other central nervous system depressants.

Benzodiazepines are intended for oral use only, unless other instructions are given by the prescribing doctor. Benzodiazepines are generally not water soluble and cannot be readily prepared for injection. However benzodiazepines for recreational use are injected by some people to achieve a feeling of 'euphoria', increase the effects of other drugs or help alleviate the come down effects of other drugs.

Severe health problems can occur from this method including:

• collapsed veins
• clotting of veins
• red, swollen, infected skin
• amputation of limbs due to poor circulation
• stroke or even death.