New laws to combat tranquilliser street sales

New laws to combat the street sale of tranquillisers are expected to form part of a government action plan to be published this year.

Drugs strategy minister Roisín Shortall said she had set up a high-level group within the Department of Health to address the problems associated with the abuse of benzodiazepines.

These are tranquillisers and anti-anxiety tablets legally prescribed. They are also imported in massive quantities, including over the internet.