Valium deaths soar as drug users mix ‘benzos’ with cocaine

Benzodiazepines, used to counteract stimulants, were mentioned on the death certificates of 476 people in England and Wales last year

Deaths linked to prescription anti-anxiety drugs such as Valium are at the highest level for a decade, driven partly by the increasing popularity of illegal stimulants such as cocaine.

Analysis of government data reveals that benzodiazepines - sedatives used for treating anxiety and insomnia - were mentioned on the death certificates of 476 people in England and Wales last year, a 55% increase in 10 years.