MSJ Diazepam

MSJ Diazepam (Valium)

Street name - MSJs, Vallies, Blues, Doggies, Benzo's, Vera's, Scoobies

General Info

Over the past couple of years, the misuse of benzodiazepines (benzos/minor tranquillisers/sleeping tablets) has been steadily growing across the country.

Legitimate Diazepam is a prescription only medicine and Class C under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. It is a central nervous system depressant sedative.  All tablets prescribed in the UK go through a thorough checking process.

However, one illegally imported source of Diazepam (Valium) is known as MSJs or blues. This substance is unpredictable and dangerous to take as its strength can vary. These tablets can be obtained via the Internet. These illicit tablets are round, with MSJ printed on one side and a line across the middle of the other. They are usually blue in colour, and look similar to prescribed Valium tablets. However, in some areas of Wales yellow tablets are being reported.

Effects

• The drug acts as a sedative depressing the nervous system and ‘slowing’ the brain and body down. 
• When prescribed medically they help the user feel calm and relaxed or can help with insomnia.
• However, when abused they can cause, drowsiness, headaches, loss of coordination, confusion, aggression or severe memory loss (sometimes for days) or if mixed with alcohol or other depressants it can cause an overdose, coma and even death

Risks

• If a person becomes dependent on MSJ and then tries to stop, the withdrawal symptoms can be quite severe. They can include decreased concentration, tremors, nausea, vomiting, headaches, anxiety, panic attacks, fits and depression
• It can cause short-term memory loss and larger doses can cause forgetfulness and drowsiness
• They can be highly addictive
• Users of illicit supplies will not know the strength of what they were taking and may take too much
• Can be mixed with other chemicals so the risks are variable and uncertain.

Class

Class C