Drugs probe welcomed

TRANQUILLISER campaigner Barry Haslam has welcomed news that an investigation will be launched into the prescribing of the drugs.

The British Medical Association plans to launch an investigation into the prescribing of benzodiazepines - anti-anxiety drugs including temazepam and diazepam - after concerns over the number of people becoming addicted.

At the BMA conference in Liverpool, Dr Louise Harding called for the BMA to “recognise the harm caused to patients” by the long-term prescribing of the drugs, which include Valium.

Barry, former chairman of Oldham Tranx, is one the country’s most vocal campaigners on the issue and has long fought for those affected by addiction to the drugs. Barry, from Uppermill, suffered years of memory loss and a change of personality when he took the drugs for 10 years.

“I welcome the comments into the prescription of benzodiazepine drugs of addiction. However the BMA investigation is 40 years too late for me and certainly too late for the estimated 1.5 million long-term prescribed benzodiazepine drug addicts currently in England.”