Anxiety pills being misused

Friday 08 July 2011 00:00 BST

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A drug for epilepsy and anxiety is increasingly being misused as a substitute for illegal drugs.

Phenazepam was developed for the treatment of epilepsy, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, insomnia and anxiety.

Researchers at Dundee University say people have been buying it legally over the internet, leading to reports of misuse in the UK, Sweden, Finland and the US.

In 2010, three people in the East Midlands and six people in Scotland were admitted to hospital after overdosing on the drug.

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Anxiety pills being misused

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