Ireland had the highest number of people in Europe entering treatment because of addiction to diazepam-type drugs last year, according to the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA).
The EUDA is aware of at least 40 new and unlicenced benzodiazepine drugs that have been developed in the last two decades.
The illicit drugs are thought to be designed to emulate the effects of relaxants and anti-depression medication like Valium or Xanax.
Taking medication without a doctor’s advice is dangerous enough, but illegal drugs can also be unpure, unsafe and buying them can support criminals, experts warn.
The European Union Drugs Agency says that a rapidly expanding and diversifying supply of drugs, including new psychoactive substances, more potent opioids and an increasing range of stimulants, is raising the risk of serious poisoning and complicating treatment and harm‑reduction efforts.
New psychoactive substances are being detected at a rate of one per week. The EUDA is now monitoring more than one thousand of them.
“Drug markets are evolving at speed, with the variety of substances on Europe’s streets becoming ever more unpredictable,” said Dr Lorraine Nolan, EUDA Executive Director.
“The EUDA is strengthening its monitoring and preparedness systems to better protect Europe’s citizens and support effective responses,” she added.
Of particular concern to Ireland is the spread of new and non‑controlled benzodiazepines. Between 2007 and 2025 the EU’s ‘Early Warning System’ recorded 40 new benzodiazepines. These substances often resemble legitimate medicines, which can give users a false sense of safety, the EUDA said.
Ireland experienced three poisoning and overdose outbreaks in prisons in 2024 linked to these changing markets. One outbreak involved the new benzodiazepine clobromazolam; two others were caused by highly potent nitazene opioids mis‑sold as heroin and benzodiazepines.
Overdoses from synthetic opioids can be reversed with naloxone, but benzodiazepine poisonings require a different antidote typically only available in hospital settings — and prolonged benzodiazepine use carries high dependence and withdrawal risks.
Ireland stands out in treatment data: The EUDA said that it found that Ireland reported the highest absolute number of people – more than 1,700 cases – entering treatment who named benzodiazepines as their main problem drug.
The findings are contained in the EUDA’s report on trends and developments in illegal drugs which has been published this morning.
The agency calls for stronger service provision and sustained investment across prevention, treatment, harm reduction and social reintegration to respond to the evolving risks. For Ireland, the report underlines urgent needs in prison health responses, front‑line medical preparedness for non‑opioid overdoses, and targeted services for people dependent on benzodiazepines.