PRESCRIPTION Drugs

Benzodiazepines
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 (Xanax®)
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 (Valium®)
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.