A new drug is on the scene, and it can have deadly consequences.
Xylazine, also known as “tranq dope”, and “zombie drugs” is wreaking havoc in major cities across America. Its devastating effects can literally cause the skin to rot.
It was first discovered in Philadelphia before it moved west to San Francisco and Los Angeles. It was commonly used to cut heroin but most recently it has been found in fentanyl and other illegal drugs.
The Food and Drug Administration approved xylazine for veterinary use. However, it is not safe for humans. Those who have overdosed on the drug will not respond to Narcan or naloxone.
Xylazine can cause sedative-like symptoms such as excess sleepiness, respiratory depression, and raw wounds. These can quickly become serious and spread quickly if exposed to the drug repeatedly. If left untreated, crusty ulcerations can lead to amputation.
It is not listed in the Controlled Substances for Animals or Humans, so “tranq” can be confusing and frightening. Hospitals rarely perform routine toxicology screenings to test for it.
One Philly user developed xylazine-specific injuries last month near her opioid injection sites.
Tracey McCann (39), said that she would wake up crying in the morning because her arms were dying.
According to the city, 90% of lab-tested dope samples from 2021 contained xylazine, which can increase the risk of overdose when combined with other illicit substances.
The lethal combination is what makes xylazine so appealing — the high of opioids such as fentanyl is extended by “tranq.”
Shawn Westfahl from Prevention Point Philadelphia told the Times that it was too late for Philly. “Philly has a saturated supply. It is up to other areas of the country to make a decision to avoid it. They need to hear our story.”
People with substance use disorders who get hooked on the zombifying drug believe the emerging substance killed “any kind of joy” that came with getting high.
Sky News reported that Sam, 28, stated that Tanq “essentially zombifies people’s bodies.” “I had never suffered from wounds until nine months ago.” “Now, I have holes in my feet and legs.”
This worrying trend is a result of the New York City Department of Health reporting that 2,668 New Yorkers overdosed in 2021. Experts warn that xylazine could make the drug crisis worse.
Director of substance abuse prevention at the LA County Department of Public Health Dr. Gary Tsai believes that the drug’s increased prevalence would “increase deaths from overdoses.”
Tsai stated to the Los Angeles Times that the main concern was “the worst overdose crisis in human history” and added that the country is already experiencing it.
A 2022 report states that xylazine was discovered in 36 different states. The Times reported that the drug was discovered in 25% of samples from New York City.
Earlier this month, the San Francisco Department of Health announced that low levels of xylazine were found in the systems of four people who overdosed, suggesting that the substance can be hidden in drugs unbeknownst to the users.
Tsai warned, “It’s possible it’s even more out there.”
