Tranq Drug - New public health issue in the USA:

The drug "Tranq" threatens to be the new public health issue in the USA. It is an animal sedative mixed with fentanyl, which was already out of control on its own.

A veterinary tranquilizer called xylazine is infiltrating street drugs, deepening the dependency of victims, confusing law enforcement, and causing such severe injuries that some result in amputations.

The New York Times reports that xylazine causes wounds so severe that when people wake up from the Tranq dose, the effect of fentanyl has long since faded, and they immediately crave more. Since xylazine is a sedative and not an opioid, it resists standard opioid overdose reversal treatments.

A study published in June detected xylazine in the drug supply in 36 states and the District of Columbia. In New York City, xylazine was found in 25 percent of drug samples, though health authorities say the actual saturation is likely higher. In November, the Food and Drug Administration issued a four-page national alert about xylazine for doctors.

In December, the Office of National Drug Control Policy said it was closely monitoring the spread.

The drug exists in a legal gray area. Approved by the F.D.A. 50 years ago as a prescribed analgesic for veterinarians, it is not listed as a controlled substance for animals or humans and is therefore not subject to strict control. Thus, it has not been on the federal police radar for diversion or abuse.