Benzos

A.K.A: Benzos, Tranks, Downers, Xannies, Valium

Benzodiazepines are a group of depressant drugs. There are several prescription benzos that are used to treat conditions such as anxiety and alcohol withdrawal. There are also many illicit benzos that are often more potent.

Benzos can make you feel relaxed, calm, and drowsy. They can also make you feel confused, uncoordinated, and unable to stay awake. If someone uses benzos regularly, stopping suddenly can cause seizures and can be dangerous if it is not managed with the help of a medical professional.

Caution

There are many fake benzos that are sold from outside of New Zealand on the illegal market. They are sometimes made to look like prescription benzos but can contain dangerous ingredients and uneven doses.

How to be safer when using benzos

Get support if going through withdrawal. It can be dangerous to stop taking them suddenly. Your doctor can help you with this.
Know which type of benzo you are taking – they all have different strengths.
Use drug checking services to know what you have and see if it is mixed with anything else.
They are usually taken orally (swallowed) because some pills have fillers that are dangerous to snort or inject.

Overdose deaths remain unacceptably high as stimulant harms increase

21 Oct 2026

New Zealand is losing three people a week to preventable overdose, while hospitalisations from stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine are increasing alongside a recent surge in consumption.

Report