Barbiturate

Barbiturates are a class of chemicals that have powerful sedative effects. They are used to treat insomnia, for severe pain, and as anticonvulsants and pain relievers. In 2016, their use was found to be responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

Barbiturates were widely used for more than 70 years until 1971, when they were officially banned as narcotic drugs. During this period, they became the leading cause of death in the group of people dependent on drugs. Between