The Intelligence from The Economist The Intelligence: The Economist explains
Dec 27, 2023
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Tranq Dope's Devastating Effects
- Tranq dope, a mix of fentanyl and the animal tranquilizer xylazine, is causing a surge in overdose deaths.
- It also leads to severe necrotic wounds, making users vulnerable to assault and robbery.
Why Tranq Dope Is Created
- Xylazine is significantly cheaper than fentanyl, allowing dealers to increase profits by mixing the two.
- Many users unknowingly purchase tranq dope, believing it to be pure fentanyl.
Lack of Antidote for Xylazine
- Naloxone, the emergency treatment for fentanyl overdose, is ineffective against xylazine.
- There's no approved antidote for xylazine, making tranq dope overdoses more challenging to treat.