SAFE GC Coalition: DEA Emergency Schedules Bromazolam

Following an increase in the trafficking and abuse of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) throughout the United States, the Drug Enforcement Administration has emergency scheduled bromazolam, a synthetic benzodiazepine used to make counterfeit Xanax tablets.

The emergency scheduling of bromazolam places it into Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act, recognizing there is no current accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. By imposing regulatory controls, bromazolam is now subject to administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to Schedule I controlled substances for those who manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis, possess, or propose to handle bromazolam.

The DEA maintains the emergency scheduling of bromazolam is a decisive step to get ahead of a rapidly evolving threat as this action closes dangerous gaps, disrupts access, and gives law enforcement and public health partners the tools they need to respond.

The identification of bromazolam in the illicit drug market has been widely reported in the United States and is currently one of the most identified benzodiazepines in illicit drug seizures tested by DEA laboratory systems.

Adverse health effects include slurred speech, loss of control of bodily movements (ataxia), altered mental state, and respiratory depression associated with the abuse of drugs known collectively as “designer benzodiazepines.” The increase in the co-abuse of opioids with designer benzodiazepines has become of particular concern as opioid misuse continues in the United States.

These drugs are particularly popular among users of opioids, because they intensify and/or prolong the euphoric effect of opioids. In addition, patients on opioid agonist treatment (OAT) may use benzodiazepines to self-medicate withdrawal symptoms, anxiety and/or poor sleep quality. Combining opioids and benzodiazepines can increase risk of overdose because both types of drugs can cause sedation and suppress breathing—the cause of overdose fatality—in addition to impairing cognitive functions. Research shows that people who use opioids and benzodiazepines concurrently are at higher risk of visiting the emergency department, being admitted to a hospital for a drug-related emergency and dying of drug overdose.

The primary danger of this trend is that many individuals are unknowingly exposed to these sedatives when they are added to other illicit drugs, leading to profound sedation and a much higher risk of death compared to opioid use alone.

SAFE, Inc. is the only alcohol and substance abuse prevention, intervention and education agency in the City of Glen Cove. Its Coalition is conducting an opioid prevention awareness campaign entitled, "Keeping Glen Cove SAFE," to educate and update the community regarding prescription and illicit drug use and its consequences. To learn more about the SAFE Glen Cove Coalition please follow us on www.facebook.com/safeglencovecoalition or visit SAFE’s website to learn more about the Opioid Epidemic at www.safeglencove.org.