What is Xyalazine - zombie drug causing havoc in the United States?

illicit drug kwn as "tranq," "tranq dope," or "zombie drug," medically referred to as Xylazine, is causing dely effects in several major cities across United States. Initially used to cut heroin, compound has more recently been found in fentanyl and or illegal drugs. Repeated exposure to Xylazine can le to symptoms resembling sedation, such as excessive tiredness and respiratory depression, as well as physical dam to skin. 

Legislation in United States has been introduced by a group of senators and representatives from both political parties to categorise a veterinary sedative, which is contributing to fentanyl crisis, as a controlled substance. aim is to assist law enforcement ncies in curbing its unlawful us, reported Wall Street Journal in an exclusive. 

dangers of xylazine use are manifold and serious. Unlike naloxone, a drug that reverses opioid overdoses including fentanyl, xylazine cant be countered by former. Moreover, xylazine itself can cause grave injuries that, while treatable with proper medical attention, can le to amputations.

What is Xylazine, also kwn as ‘trang’?

Xylazine, also kwn as "tranq," is a drug that is often ded intentionally to illicit drugs as an ulterant, which is a substance ded to enhance effects of drug. Illicit drug manufacturers may use xylazine to extend duration of opioid highs or to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Xylazine, initially used as a veterinary anestic, has been identified as an ulterant in heroin supplies since early 2000s. Despite t being an opioid, xylazine can induce opioid-like effects such as sedation, slow heart rate, and constricted pupils, similar to its pharmaceutical relative clonidine. Its use is also linked to severe skin and soft tissue ulcers and infections, according to an essay in Conversation, an online publication with latest research.

How are overdose cases occurring?

Mixing opioids with sedating drugs like xylazine can increase risk of a fatal overdose. However, people who use drugs may t realise that xylazine is present in drug supply, making it difficult to identify exposure. Hospital drug tests also do t typically detect xylazine, ding to challenges of surveillance.

Xylazine overdoses rarely occur alone. In Philelphia, xylazine was found in less than 2% of heroin and fentanyl-related deaths before 2015, increasing to over 31% in 2019. A study of 210 xylazine-related deaths in Chicago from 2017 to 2021 found that fentanyl or a chemically similar substance was detected in 99.1% of overdose cases. se findings highlight significant role that fentanyl plays in fatal overdoses when xylazine is present, with evidence suggesting that issue is becoming more prevalent.

Many drug samples from 2021 in Philelphia contained Xylazine, and it is often mixed with or illegal drugs to prolong opioid high. However, combination of drugs raises risk of an overdose. This has led to concern about emergence of "tranq" trends, particularly after New York City Department of Health reported 2,668 overdose deaths in city in 2021. Xylazine has been found in 36 states, and a report from 2022 indicated that it was discovered in 25% of samples tested in New York City.

Scientists warn that Xylazine may exacerbate current drug epidemic, as it eliminates any sense of pleasure associated with being high. ditionally, users may t be aware that y are consuming drug since it can be concealed in or medications. Recently, San Francisco Department of Health reported that four overdose victims h low levels of Xylazine in ir systems, indicating that drug may be present in medicines that users are unaware of.

US issues warning 

On March 21, 2023, Drug Enforcement ministration (DEA) released a warning regarding a surge in trafficking of fentanyl-laced with xylazine. dition of xylazine to fentanyl, an alrey lethal drug, increases likelihood of overdosing. Illicit opioids, such as fentanyl and heroin, in US are increasingly contaminated with xylazine. DEA reported confiscating mixtures of xylazine and fentanyl in 48 states out of 50.

On Tuesday, US lawmakers introduced Senate and House bills that would reclassify xylazine as a Schedule III drug, a category that includes substances like ketamine and anabolic steroids with moderate-to-low potential for dependence. This would make it easier for law enforcement to crack down on xylazine trafficking.

According to Senator Carine Cortez Masto, who is leing Senate bill with Senator Chuck Grassley and ors, legislation is necessary because law enforcement currently lacks means to tackle this dangerous drug. Representatives Jimmy Panetta, Ken Buck, and August Pfluger are among those backing House bill.

American Veterinary Medical Association has expressed support for Senate and House bills and stressed importance of xylazine for treating livestock, wildlife, and zoo animals. legislation seeks to anticipate potential variations of xylazine that illicit manufacturers might create to circumvent regulations. It also aims to determine origin of xylazine that is mixed into fentanyl.

DEA has stated that Chinese suppliers sell xylazine inexpensively, which may make it more attractive to local-level dealers who mix it with fentanyl. Sometimes dealers purchase legitimate chemicals and use m illegally. legislation would require attorney general to provide a report within a year on extent to which illegally used xylazine originates from legitimate manufacturers, among or questions about drug's origins.

An official from Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., has ted that xylazine has legitimate uses and that it is responsibility of importing countries to ensure that it is used appropriately.