Over the past couple of years, the misuse of benzodiazepines (benzos/minor tranquilizers/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.