Drug phenomenon showed an upward trend, ranging from the simple use of drugs by healers for medical and therapeutic purposes to their cultivation, production and marketing by international networks of organized crime. Drug use is one of the challenges facing humanity and its direct and indirect effects constitute a serious problem. Barbiturates are sedative-hypnotic substances which are the first pharmacological agents with such an action. They influence the function of the central nervous system resulting in a variety of effects, from moderate sedation to anaesthesia. They show also anxiolytic hypnotic and anticonvulsant effects, which is why in the past especially the abuse of barbiturates was very common; they have the ability to induce both physical and mental dependence, but attempts are currently made to replace them with benzodiazepine (less dangerous substances).