This report examines the evidence of prevalence and harms in the UK of several novel benzodiazepines and provides advice to the government.

This self-commissioned review follows an ACMD report published in 2016, which recommended 16 benzodiazepines for control under Class C of the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and Schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. Since then, several novel benzodiazepines have been identified in drugs seizures across Europe. Prompted by concerns of the abuse potential of these substances the ACMD have conducted a review to assess the available evidence on prevalence and harms of 13 novel benzodiazepines, to identify those that warrant further legislative control.