New benzodiazepines
Also of concern is the recent growth in the market for new benzodiazepines. Some 20 of these substances are being monitored by the EMCDDA - 6 of which were detected for the first time in Europe in 2016. During 2015, more than 300 000 tablets containing new benzodiazepines such as clonazolam, diclazepam, etizolam and flubromazolam were seized - almost twice the number reported in 2014. Some new benzodiazepines were sold as tablets, capsules or powders under their own names. In other cases, counterfeiters used these substances to produce fake versions of commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medicines, such as diazepam and alprazolam, which were sold directly on the illicit drug market.