Biden Introduces Strategy to Tackle Overdoses from Fentanyl Contaminated with Xylazine

The Biden administration has unveiled a comprehensive plan on Tuesday, aiming to address the increasing menace of fentanyl mixed with xylazine, an illegal street drug combination that is causing a surge in overdose deaths. Fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid, has already claimed numerous lives, and xylazine, known as “tranq,” is a cheap animal sedative not intended for human consumption.

This plan represents the administration’s first tangible step in combating this deadly combination since it was designated as an “emerging threat” in April. It builds upon President Joe Biden’s national drug control strategy, which focuses on tackling addiction and the overdose crisis, as well as other endeavors to crack down on illicit fentanyl.

“Even as we work to save lives from illicit fentanyl, this administration is hyper-vigilant in reacting to changes in the drug supply, like xylazine,” stated Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, during a call with reporters.

The plan directs several federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to expand access to testing, prevention, and overdose recovery resources. It also aims to disrupt the illegal xylazine supply chain.

These agencies are required to develop and submit an implementation report to the White House within 60 days. The plan’s ultimate objective is to achieve a 15% reduction in xylazine-positive drug overdoses in at least three of the four U.S. Census regions by 2025.

According to a recent CDC report, xylazine was detected in nearly 11% of fentanyl overdose deaths through June 2022, a significant increase from about 3% in January 2019.

“The proportion of xylazine-involved deaths is continuously growing and is a great concern. Every one of these numbers is tragic,” remarked Neera Tanden, White House domestic policy advisor.

Xylazine poses severe health risks, including hypoventilation, the development of serious wounds, and extreme withdrawal symptoms. The administration’s plan includes the development and deployment of a treatment framework for individuals exposed to xylazine, as well as strategies for overdose reversal and testing.

Furthermore, the plan aims to determine the sources of xylazine and enforce regulatory measures to disrupt its production and distribution. It also emphasizes the need for research efforts and an epidemiological data system to track the spread and effects of the drug combination.

Many of the actions outlined in the plan are already in progress, such as the Drug Enforcement Administration’s warning about the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine and the FDA’s restriction on the unlawful entry of xylazine into the U.S.