TIMELINE: 1990s

1994
The legal case against the drug companies collapses after the Legal Aid Board withdraw funding from thousands of long-term users.

The Department of Health issue guidelines on prevention of benzodiazepine dependence.

Short-term use of benzodiazepines is approved

1997
The Royal College of Psychiatrists report is issued on the dangers of these drugs.

The report recommends that benzodiazepines may be prescribed safely in the short-term. It notes that they are highly effective treatments for insomnia, anxiety and some forms of epilepsy.

But it states that dependence is now recognised as a significant risk in patients receiving treatment for longer than one month.

1999
House of Commons Health Committee report leads to a discussion of Benzodiazepines in the House.