The coroner for Northern Ireland has called the rising number of deaths linked to fake versions of the anti-anxiety drug, Xanax, “an escalating crisis”.
Joe McCrisken says he is signing off an alprazolam-related death nearly once a week.
He says “most of the deaths” are caused by counterfeit versions of Xanax, the brand name for the drug alprazolam.
“The deaths are a very tiny tip of what is a very huge iceberg,” he says.
Xanax is used to treat anxiety and panic attacks. It is not available on the NHS. It is a powerful tranquiliser.
But it can be obtained on private prescription in the UK, is widely prescribed in the US, and counterfeit versions circulate on the black market.
Last year, the BBC found that children as young as 11 were being treated by ambulance services after taking fake versions of it.
What do you think about this piece? Share your comment in the comment thread and share the story using the social media buttons above. You may reach the editor on 0249579664. Thank you.