‘They don’t know what they’re putting into their bodies’
establish how easy it would be to buy Xanax – trade name for the tranquiliser alprazolam – amid a chilling surge in its recreational use.
Because it relaxes brain activity, the pills induce a feeling of mellow drowsiness combined with heightened confidence.
UK authorities treat it as a “Class C” controlled drug, and it can be obtained legally on private prescription, although not from the NHS.
Worried parents have warned that their children have become violent and troubled after Xanax produced a dramatic change of personality.
Two young women hanged themselves in separate incidents after taking Xanax and dozens of schoolchildren have needed hospital treatment for its effects.
Our investigator bought a batch of pills advertised as Xanax on a legitimate-looking website.
Run by British-registered firm United Pharmacy, wpills.net offers a dazzling array of prescription pills.
Our order of 30 pills was taken without any questions about age, medical history or if a prescription was available. After processing our payment of $170 (£120), the order shipped from India and took almost three weeks to arrive. But analysis by a Home Office-licensed laboratory found the pills were Tramadol.
The drug is especially dangerous to those suffering from depression or addiction which are hitting teens with increasing frequency. For teenagers who buy Xanax online, the reality is they face a game of roulette with no way of knowing what will be sent their way.
Mr Charalambous, who represents Enfield Southgate, in north London, said the craze has been fuelled by rap music stars and social media.
He said: “Xanax is like Valium but 20 times more powerful. It is highly addictive and the body craves it. One of its effects is amnesia, so the person has no idea where they have been or what they have done.
“Another is that they become aggressive in their behaviour. They can become physically violent.”
Mr Charalambous, who was alerted by a constituent whose daughter became a user, added: “The problem is much more widespread than we thought. We need more research. If we are not careful we could have more deaths.”
A Department of Health spokesman said: “Controlled prescriptiononly medicines such as Xanax can be potent, by their very nature.
“They should only be prescribed by a doctor or appropriate healthcare professional.”