Tranq making ‘deadliest drug threat’ in US ‘even deadlier,’ DEA warns

Washington (WPIX) – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration public safety alert It warns Americans of the widespread threat of fentanyl mixed with xylazine, an animal tranquilizer commonly called “trunk.”

“Xylazine makes the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier.” Said DEA administrator Anne Milgram. “DEA he seized a mixture of xylazine and fentanyl in 48 of the 50 states.”

DEA said drug mixture of xylazine and fentanyl There is a high risk that the user will suffer a fatal drug overdose.

xylazine is FDA approved drug Used in animals as a sedative and analgesic. Respiration, blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature can drop to dangerous levels.

Serious and potentially life-threatening side effects in humans are very similar to those typically seen with opioid use. It warns that the effects of xylazine cannot be reversed.

“Nevertheless, experts always recommend a dose of naloxone if someone may be struggling with drug addiction,” said the DEA.

Between side effects of trunk These ulcers can occur on various parts of the body and can result in the loss of fingers and limbs.

Some experts say xylazine was illegally introduced into the human drug supply to extend heroin and fentanyl highs.

Xylazine-positive overdose deaths increased in all US regions from 2020 to 2021. DEA data showbut it is not clear when such deaths were recorded.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between August 2021 and August 2022, 107,735 Americans died from drug addiction, 66% of which were linked to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. The chemicals used to make fentanyl come from China and are exported to Mexican drug cartels. Mexican drug cartels manufacture fentanyl in a secret lab south of the US border.

Last month, the FDA announced it would restrict the importation of xylazine. This means that shipments of animal tranquilizers are subject to FDA scrutiny. Drug shipments and the ingredients used to make them can also be detained to ensure that they are used legally.

Nathaniel Weixel of The Hill contributed to this report.