FAKE XANAX: THE ESCALATING CRISIS

EVE PERKINS

In the past two years UK Addiction concentration of these drugs in the Treatment Centres (UKAT) have seen counterfeit pills. a 200% rise in people being admitted to rehab solely for Xanax addiction. More than half of those are under the age of 24, including reports of children as young as 11. With the increasing demand, drug dealers are turning to producing counterfeit versions of the tablets, to cash in on the sector in the market. A potential cause for the rising usage of Xanax in young people could be its increasing prevalence in popular culture. As a product used by big stars such as Tana Mongeau, Miley Cyrus and Lil Xan, the physical imagery of Xanax can be seen as a status label among young people on the internet, thereby increasing the normality of the drug

Alprazolam, known more widely by in younger generations who look up its American brand name ‘Xanax’, is a to these performers. For example, its benzodiazepine medication used to image being increasingly used in the treat anxiety and panic disorders. It is mainstream media alongside images known to be over 10-20 times stronger of fame and wealth, causes viewers to than its more commonplace counter- associate Xanax with fame and higher part in the UK: diazepam. In prescribed social status. Its calming effect can also form, these kinds of anti-anxiety help with social anxiety, an increasing medications can be problem among difficult to get hold Dubbed ‘the deadliest younger generations, of, so many sufferers resort to dealers or the internet to attain drug in America’, its potency is over 100 times but is only a shortterm solution to a long-term problem; them. It is estimated stronger than that of one that needs more that approximately heroin. in-depth treatment. 90% of Xanax on sale in the UK is counterfeit. These cheap fakes are typically created by the dealers themselves or given to them by underground labs, where safety regulation is non-existent. It is important to remember that, as a controlled substance, Xanax should only be taken when prescribed by a medical professional. Some tips to minimise risks if you are taking it on prescription are: The dangers become apparent during the mixing process of the drug. Dealers will typically buy the Alprazolam in its pure powder form · Follow the instructions given by the medical professional and only take the dose prescribed. from exporters in China, where it is · Drink plenty of water. simple and cheap to obtain. It is then · Take on a full stomach to slow the mixed with any number of substances, absorption into the bloodstream ranging from baking powder to deadly and allow your body to adjust to the fentanyl, to increase the ‘relaxing’ effect drug.of the drug. Dubbed ‘the deadliest drug in America’, its potency is over 100 times · Don’t mix with other depressants stronger than that of heroin. Since a such as alcohol, as these can cause lot of the creation of these pills is done extreme drowsiness and even death by trial and error, and supply chains in serious cases. can stretch through several people, it can be impossible to know exactly the

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