• At low doses, tranquillisers are used to calm users and slow them down mentally.

• Higher doses can make the user forgetful and drowsy, increasing the risk of accidents.

• They are EXTREMELY DANGEROUS if mixed with other drugs, particularly alcohol. The combination of tranquillisers and alcohol can prove fatal.

• Tolerance can develop, which means users need more to get the same effect. Users can become dependent, especially if they rely on the drug to calm them or help them to sleep.

• Benzodiazepine drugs cause sedation and short term memory loss. There have been cases where these drugs have been used in ‘date rape’.