There are various chemical names for tranquillisers these names include: Diazepam, Temazepam (mazzies), Nitrazepam, Flunitrazepam and Rohypnol. These drugs are members of the Benzodiazepines family of drugs.

The trade names for these drugs include: Valium, Librium, Ativan, Mogadon (moggies). Tranquillisres are prescribed by GP's as a short term treatment for anxiety, depression and sleeping disorders. Unfortunately these drugs are used by some people to counter the effects of stimulant drugs, or are taken in combination when users are unable to obtain alcohol or Heroin.

Whilst it is not against the law to possess these types of drugs without a prescription (except in the case of Temazepam) supply is against the law and class C penalties apply see The Law.

Benzodiazepines are the most commonly prescribed of these drugs, which include the well known Valium and Temazepam. About 1 in 7 British adults take them at some time during a course of a year, and about 1 in 10 take them throughout the year. Because they are seen to be much safer they have come to replace barbiturates for most medical purposes. These drugs are usually swallowed, although some users do inject, but this is usually only with Temazepam.

To inject users usually crush the tablets and mix them with water, this is very dangerous if all the tablet has not dissolve and ends up in the blood stream.

In 1960 the Swiss multinational drugs company Hoffman-La Roche released Librium onto the market. This was supposed to pacify people and set them free from anxiety. This and many other similar drugs were released in following years and were dished out left, right and centre by doctors. With so many tranquillisers available it wasn't long before they reached the street where they were taken with other substances (such as alcohol) for an increased effect or injected.

In 1988 due to pressure from both the medical profession and the public, tranquillisers were controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act for the first time. Recently there has been an increasing trend to inject tranquillisers, Temazepam being especially popular in some areas of Scotland. Although the pills were reformulated to jelly like capsules to try and stop injectors, this did little to change the habit, and only caused injectors to injure themselves more. However, the pills are now being changed again to try and prevent this damage.