Lack of therapy means prisons are turning to pills

THE abuse of legal tranquillisers, already a major problem in the community, is now a cause of concern in prisons.

Benzodiazepines, commonly known as benzos and used to treat anxiety and sleep problems, are now considered the number-one drug problem by many community groups and are typically combined with other substances.

The booming market is being supplied through over-prescription by some GPs, mass importation either physically or online, and back-street manufacture.