New plans to give gardaí power to seize unprescribed benzodiazepine

Plans are being drawn up to give gardaí the power to seize benzodiazepine from anyone not carrying a valid prescription.

The highly addictive ‘downer’ is becoming increasingly popular in the capital and can make users extremely violent.

Under the new plans being drawn up, it would be considered illegal to carry the so-called ‘benzos’ without a prescription.

Bernie McDonnell from 'Community Awareness on Drugs' welcomes the move but says extra resources will be needed to deal with the backlash.

"Initially there is going to be an awful lot of people in difficult because they have been taking huge quantities," she said.

"The agencies will have to respond to that and the outreach workers are going to be really important."