Benzodiazepines are the description of a group of prescription drugs that are commonly referred to as tranquilizers. They are typically prescribed to address symptoms of anxiety and/or as a sleep aid. They are also a group of drugs that are highly abused which can contribute to overdose deaths. They are especially dangerous when consumed with alcohol.

Alprazolam has likely become the most abused benzodiazepine in the country. The drug is taken orally, and abusers can reach levels of 20-30 tablets per day in extreme cases. Alprazolam is typically worth $3 a pill on the street, and was the #1 prescription drug that our undercover officers purchased last year.

Note: Drug task force officers in 2004 shut down a large criminal enterprise involving millions of dosage units of alprazolam coming into southwest Ohio through couriers traveling to Texas to meet their Mexican connections.

Diazepam, which has historically been a long-time favorite of prescription drug abusers, is still heavily abused. Taken orally, the drug has a street value of about $1-$2 per pill, and every bit as dangerous as alprazolam, if abused.