BENZODIAZEPINES

Early day motion 119, tabled 18 November 2002 by John Grogan (Labour). Signed by 194 members.

That this House congratulates the 'Beat the Benzos' campaign in highlighting the over-prescription of tranquilliser drugs known as benzodiazepines, including Ativan, Temazepam and Valium; supports their objective in bringing about the full implementation of prescription guidelines by general practitioners; calls on the Government to provide greater support services for involuntary and voluntary addicts of these drugs to integrate anti-benzodiazepine measures in anti-drug policies and to review disability benefit guidelines to ensure recognition of benzodiazepine addiction; and notes with great interest the recent court victory by Mr Ray Nimmo in which he successfully won compenstion for the past over-prescription of Valium by his then general practitioner.

Signatures by party: Labour 114, Liberal Democrat 29, Conservative 22, Labour/Co-operative 15, Plaid Cymru 4, Scottish National Party 4, UUP 3, DUP 2, Independent 1.