MSJ/DIAZEPAM GUIDE

STREET BENZOS

Illicit or fake benzodiazepines often called ‘street benzos’ or ‘street Diazepam’ are benzodiazepines bought online or obtained without a prescription.

Known as MSJs, blues, street benzos is a term used to describe valium and other benzodiazepiens that have been bought online or diverted from a legitimated prescriptiom. The reason for their increasing popularity probably has more to do with availability than anything else – they’re easy to get hold of and cheap

They come in various sizes and colours and packaged in blister packs or pill containers designed to make them look safe and legitimate. Markings can include ‘DAN 5620’ (on one side) and ‘10’ (on the other), ‘T-20’, ‘TEM 20’, ‘Bensedin’ and ‘MSJ’.

Street benzos are unpredictable in content and potency and often contain unknown substances or substances that are dangerously stronger than that displayed on the packaging.

The unpredictable content and potency make street benzodiazepines particularly dangerous and are causing an increase in overdose, hospitalisation and deaths.

MSJs

Diazepam tablets that look similar to Valium, and retain some of the brand appeal of original Valium, are being marketed by MSJ Industries, a subsidiary of the Sri Lankan manufacturer J.L. Morison Son & Jones (Ceylon) PLC. Stamped ‘MSJ’, they are legitimate pharmaceutical products, but are being diverted to the black market – where they are known as ‘MSJs’, ‘vals’ or ‘blues’ – in large quantities.

What are MSJ?

• MSJ Diazepam: valium (MSJs, vallies, blues)
• Small (6mm x 1.5mm), professionally made (hard and well defined), blue pills with MSJ stamped on one side and a fracture line on the other.
• Available from pharmaceutical manufacturers on the internet; importers on the internet; internet user forums.
• Manufacturers in Sri Lanka, India, China, Thailand, South Africa, Sweden, etc.

Effects

• Diazepam is a prescription-only medicine called a benzodiazepine. Used for their sedative, anxiety-relieving and muscle-relaxing effects.
• Only suitable for short-term treatment of insomnia and anxiety as it has a high potential for dependence and addiction.
• Diazepam is a long-acting benzodiazepine - remains active in the body for many hours, drowsiness may also last into the next day.
• Causes drowsiness and muscle weakness and impairs concentration and alertness. These effects may continue into the following day and are made worse by drinking alcohol. If affected, avoid potentially hazardous tasks such as driving or operating machinery. Avoid alcohol.
• Only suitable for short-term use. If used for long periods or in high doses, tolerance and dependence may develop, and severe withdrawal symptoms may occur if treatment is stopped suddenly.
• Treatment with this medicine should be stopped gradually, following instructions given by a doctor, in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
• (from Netdoctor.co.uk)

Side effects

• Drowsiness.
• Drowsiness and lightheadedness the next day.
• Confusion.
• Shaky movements and unsteady walk (ataxia).
• Loss of memory (amnesia).
• Unexpected increase in aggression (paradoxical aggression).
• Muscle weakness.
• Dizziness.
• Headache.
• Slurred speech.
• Tremor.
• Skin rashes.
• Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain.
• Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention).
• Urinary incontinence.
• Visual disturbances such as blurred vision.
• Changes in sex drive.
• Low blood pressure (hypotension).
• Blood disorders
• Jaundice.
• (The side-effects listed above may not include all of the side-effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer).

Problems

Advice

• Do not take large amounts. Start low and slow.
• Do not use on your own. But if you do, let someone know and ask them to check on you.
• Do not use regularly/daily. Leave it for a week, give yourself a break to get over it. Otherwise you will get addicted.
• Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. But if you do, tell your doctor.
• Do not drive or operate machinery - if you do, you will have an accident.
• Do not take the day before your driving test/go to work/school – leave it for Saturday night.
• Do not mix with alcohol or other sedative drugs - JUST DON’T! But if you do, look after each other.
• Do not inject - JUST DON’T! But if you do - don’t share, take care!
• Do not stop abruptly. But if you do, be prepared for withdrawals.