Portlaoise Prison overdoses caused by new synthetic benzo never found in Ireland before

It was initially thought that the substance was a synthetic opioid.

LAST UPDATE | 17 Aug 2024

A NEW SYNTHETIC benzodiazepine caused the recent overdoses in Portlaoise Prison, The Journal has learned.

Twelve prisoners ended up in hospital after the incident on Tuesday. It was initially thought that the substance was a synthetic opioid such as nitazene.

However, laboratory tests have now confirmed that the substance in question is clobromazolam – a synthetic benzodiazepine that has never been identified in Ireland before.

Prison officers administered naloxone, which reverses the effects of opioid overdoses, after the incident. Twelve prisoners, some of whom were in critical conditions, were taken to hospital.

Professor Eamon Keenan, HSE National Clinical Lead, Addiction Services, today told The Journal that clobromazolam was “developed in the 1980s but never marketed or used commercially”.

He said it is “much more potent than regular benzodiazepine”.

Benzodiazepines have a sedative effect, and are used to relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, as well as reduce seizures. The most common benzos are the prescription drugs Valium and Xanax.

As clobromazolam has a sedative effect, Keenan said it’s “not likely” to be seen at festivals. However, the HSE has issued a warning that high-potency MDMA is circulating at Electric Picnic this weekend.

‘Volatile drug market’

Keenan said the situation at Portlaoise Prison is “an example of how volatile the drug market is”.

New substances are appearing on the market and causing harm quickly. They require rapid responses.

“For the HSE to respond effectively and provide credible information, we need to know the contents of new substances.”

Clobromazolam has not been identified in other community settings in Ireland.

The HSE advises people not to take illicit benzodiazepines as “you can never be sure of the contents of powder or tablets obtained in this manner and they may be extremely harmful”.

Investigators believe the benzo was smuggled into Portlaoise Prison in tablet form by an inmate returning from a temporary release.

A prisoner has been placed on a protective custody block inside the prison as anger mounts among other convicts following the major incident.