The Drug Enforcement Administration is concerned about a new drug that resists live-saving treatment.
The DEA held a press conference Tuesday afternoon to discuss this new “trend.”
“We are in the midst of what many have called the third wave of the opioid epidemic,” Mark Totten, U.S. Attorney for the western district of Michigan said.
Totten said it is because of Fentanyl that the United States is experiencing the highest number of drug positions ever recorded.
Xylazine has the same effects as Fentanyl and heroin.
>> RELATED: Lawmakers call on DEA to ramp up fight against surge in use of ‘zombie drug’ xylazine
But unlike Fentanyl, this cannot be reversed with Narcan because it is not an opioid.
Street names for Xylazine include “tranq”, “tranq dope”, “sleep cut” or “zombie drug.”
It’s in the form of a clear liquid.
“Xylazine is a powerful non-opiate sedative that has been authorized by the FDA for veterinary use, better know as tranq on the street and has been identified as a cutting agent most often mixed with Fentanyl,” Orville Greene, DEA Detroit special agent said.
>> ‘Benadryl Challenge’ takes the life of 13-year-old Ohio boy
Some side effects include slowed breath, coma, deterioration of the skin and death.
Amy Duncan, hospital liaison and business developer with addiction recovery center Decoach, said you can’t tell the difference between someone overdosing on opioids or Xylazine.
“That’s why they say it’s still important to give Narcan if you believe its an opiate overdose. It’s still important to give that Narcan because let’s say it was something mixed with Fentanyl you’re gonna want to make sure you have that Narcan on hand and calling 911,” Duncan said.
Out of all 50 states, 48 have a presence of the zombie drug.
Totten said it is going to take everyone in the community from police to mental health counselors and doctors to combat this trend.
©2023 Cox Media Group
