For the record, illegal street drugs are always dangerous. Many times you are not sure of the compound mixtures you are getting and there is always the risk of a substance being laced with something much more potent that what you bargained for. And there are plenty of other new strains of drugs that can be just as deadly. One such narcotic is a new chemical that’s being called “benzo dope.”
Benzo dope recently earned some coverage on the VICE news site, with a particular call out to the amount of fatal overdoses that are tied to it. Classified as a synthetic opioid, this dangerous new mixture includes elements like fentanyl, etizolam and black market benzodiazepines, which greatly amplify the likelihood of overdosing.
It has been reported that this drug causes more fatal ODs than fentanyl, which has been a tremendous culprit in the rise of U.S. drug fatalities. And even more alarming is the fact that the life saving opioid reversal drug, naloxone, is powerless against it.
VICE called out Canada as another region where the benzo dope trend has been materializing more and more. In April, for example, Vancouver identified 30 fatal overdoses tied to benzo dope in a period of just two weeks.
Canadian officials were so alarmed by these latest stats that British Columbia’s chief coroner, Lisa Lapointe, made a statement about it to the press. “We are particularly concerned about the toxicity of the drugs detected in many of the deaths recorded this year,” she explained. “The findings suggest that the already unstable drug supply in B.C. is becoming even deadlier, underscoring the urgent need for supervised consumption options, prescribing for safe supply, and accessible treatment and recovery services.”
And even if you don’t experience a benzo dope overdose, just using the drug could put your body at a serious health risk. Studies have shown that long term effects can include respiratory depression, prolonged losses of consciousness and permanent amnesia.
One other ingredient mentioned above, etizolam, also has officials very concerned. Many believe that this may be the most potent element of all, coming directly from the benzodiazepine family.
VICE made a point to describe benzo dope’s appearance as well, to alert readers about what the drug looks like and how to avoid it during illicit narcotics dealings. It is apparently dark purple in color (also going by the name purple heroin) and should most definitely be avoided at all costs.
