Drugs – Temazepam

 

Temazepam

(Tems, Temazzies, Eggs, Green Eggs, Jellies, Norries, Rugby balls.)

 

 

Temazepam is a short-acting Benzodiazepine. It is normally prescribed to people who have difficulty sleeping, or occasionally to reduce anxiety.

 

 

Temazepam is produced as a gel-filled capsule, designed to be taken orally. A normal therapeutic dose of temazepam would be 10mg-30mg. If you have a normal dose of Temazepam you may feel less anxious and start to feel relaxed and sleepy. At higher doses the effects are similar to alcohol – you may feel less inhibited towards other people. Your behaviour may be exaggerated (people who are using Temazepam are often very talkative or over-excited, sometimes even hostile or aggressive) and judgement is impaired. You may have a false sense of confidence, or even believe you are invincible or invisible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Physical Changes:

Temazepam is usually prescribed to help people sleep, and the main physical effects of the drug are as a muscle relaxant. The other effects described above are experienced if you take the drug and stay awake.

 

If you use Benzodiazepines regularly you can become dependent – withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, sleeplessness, panic attacks, loss of appetite, nausea, tremors and sometimes even hallucinations. These symptoms can persist for weeks after stopping use of the drug. Abrupt withdrawal from high doses can cause convulsions and fits, and should never be attempted without medical supervision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keeping safe:

The effects of downers like Temazepam make it more difficult to judge and assess situations than normal. Because of this, if you use the drug you are more vulnerable to accidents (for example when crossing a busy road). You can overdose on Temazepam (causing loss of consciousness), especially if you are using another depressant drug like alcohol or heroin.

 

If you vomit while you are unconscious, you may choke – avoid using this drug on your own if you can. As with any drug that reduces inhibitions, you may be more likely to have unprotected sex, risking unwanted pregnancy and exposing yourself to sexually transmitted diseases. Temazepam is a drug that should not be injected – the gel in the capsules can re-solidify after injection.

 

 

This can cause thrombosis (a blood clot) and lead to collapsed veins; if you hit an artery by mistake, the blockage can cause gangrene, possibly leading to amputation of a hand, a foot, even an arm or a leg. If you do inject and are with other people, the effects of the drug could make you careless or forgetful – mixing used and clean needles and syringes increases the risk of exposing yourself to infections like Hepatitis B or C, or HIV.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The law:

Note: The legal status of Temazepem has recently changed, the information contained here is to be updated!

 

Temazepam is controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971, as a schedule 1 drug in Class A of the Act. Any person may possess a schedule 1 drug, provided it is in the original medicinal form. It is an offence to possess Temazepam in any other form (for example, if prepared for injection) and this offence carries a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment and an unlimited fine. Supply of the drug by an unauthorised person is an offence for which the maximum sentence is five years imprisonment and an unlimited fine. A charge of possession of a drug with intent to supply can be brought by the police. This includes giving a substance away for free, and can be for any amount of Temazepam that the court feels is too unreasonably large to be for personal use only.

 

*If you are searched, questioned or arrested by the police and are not sure of your rights, the charity RELEASE are available 24 hours a day to advise you.

 

Their helpline number is 0207 603 8654, and you can ask the Desk Sergeant to contact them for you if you are taken to a Police Station. It is wise to exercise your right to silence until you have spoken to them or a solicitor.

 

 

 

 

Special note:

Urban75: This site is all about harm reduction. We realise that some people will take drugs no matter what advice they are given. This guide is to be for information purposes only. It is not medical advice. If you are being coerced into taking drugs, or are in any doubt about taking a substance, our advice is to always refuse.

 

 

Source:Urban75    

 

An edition of the long-running BBC current affairs strand ‘Panorama’ from 1995 about the widespread recreational use of temazepam.