The Biden administration has unveiled a comprehensive national response plan to combat the emerging threat posed by fentanyl combined with xylazine in the United States. Coordinated by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), this plan aims to mobilize an all-encompassing government effort to address the crisis.
The presence of this drug combination has been detected in almost every state across the country, and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate a disturbing increase in overdose deaths related to xylazine. The statistics show a staggering 276% rise in the monthly percentage of fentanyl-involved deaths with xylazine detected between January 2019 and June 2022.
So, what exactly is xylazine? Xylazine, commonly known as “Tranq,” is a non-opioid tranquilizer approved for veterinary use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, it is not intended for human consumption. This central nervous system depressant and powerful sedative can cause drowsiness, amnesia, and dangerously low levels of breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Extended use of xylazine has been associated with the development of skin ulcers, abscesses, and related complications. Additionally, individuals who inject drug mixtures containing xylazine may experience necrosis, leading to the decay of human tissue and, in severe cases, potential amputation.
Using opioids in conjunction with xylazine or other central nervous system depressants significantly increases the risk of life-threatening overdoses. Reports indicate that people frequently use xylazine or xylazine-containing drugs through injection, snorting, swallowing, or inhaling. Studies have also revealed that individuals exposed to xylazine, knowingly or unknowingly, frequently combine it with illicit fentanyl and other substances.
In cases of suspected xylazine overdose, experts recommend administering the opioid overdose reversal medication naloxone, as xylazine is often combined with opioids. However, it is important to note that naloxone does not address the respiratory impact of xylazine due to its non-opioid nature. Consequently, experts are concerned that the increasing prevalence of xylazine in the illicit opioid supply may diminish the effectiveness of naloxone in certain overdose scenarios.
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Anne Milgram expressed her concerns about this growing threat, stating, “Xylazine is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier,” She also shared alarming statistics from the DEA Laboratory System, revealing that approximately 23% of seized fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills in 2022 contained xylazine. The DEA has seized xylazine and fentanyl mixtures in 48 out of 50 states, underscoring the widespread nature of this issue.
To conclude, the Biden administration’s national response plan seeks to tackle the alarming rise in fentanyl combined with xylazine. Through government-wide coordination and collaboration, a concerted effort is being made to combat this deadly combination and mitigate its devastating consequences.
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