Consider This from NPR The drug fueling another wave of overdose deaths
Jun 15, 2023
Brian Mann, NPR's addiction correspondent, unveils the alarming rise of xylazine, a horse tranquilizer now showing up in street drugs. He highlights its dangerous effects, leading to increased overdose rates and complications in emergency care. Mann discusses the lack of awareness among authorities and the urgent need for improved strategies to address this evolving crisis. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and public health officials to combat this emerging threat effectively.
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Xylazine's Mysterious Rise
- Xylazine, known as "tranq", is a horse tranquilizer now found in street drugs.
- Its sudden rise in the U.S. is poorly understood due to inadequate drug tracking.
Xylazine's Physical Effects
- Jessica, struggling with fentanyl addiction, describes xylazine wounds as hard to treat.
- The drug eats away at skin, leaving scars and increasing addiction.
The Xylazine Mystery
- The reason xylazine is added to street drugs is unknown, puzzling experts.
- One theory suggests xylazine is used as a cheap filler to dilute fentanyl's potency.