Chautauqua County officials are monitoring the emergence of xylazine, also known as “tranq” in the local illegal drug supply.
Xylazine, a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer not approved for human use, is being found mixed with fentanyl and other opioids in communities nationwide. Added to these street drugs to extend their effects, xylazine also increases the already serious risk of a drug overdose.
Because it is not an opioid, xylazine does not respond to naloxone (Narcan®), the opioid overdose-reversing medication. Repeated use of xylazine is also associated with severe skin ulcers, abscesses, and related complications.
Media reports indicate xylazine has been found in cities nationwide, including in 90% of Philadelphia’s street drug supply. In the Chautauqua County region, lab analyses of drugs seized by local law enforcement agencies have also discovered the presence of xylazine.
Resources to help those struggling with substance use can be found at CombatAddictionCHQ.com. Individuals who continue to use illicit drugs are advised that naloxone, while ineffective against xylazine, does still reverse the effects of opioids present in someone experiencing an overdose.
As someone who works in the field and has seen first hand the nasty effects of tranq the most helpful thing that can be done to combat this is providing free test kits in vending machines around the county and plastering pictures of the necrosis that tranq causes in users. Tranq restricts blood flow to skin and limbs causing the flesh to turn gangreous and rot off. People lose limbs and have holes in their skin and not only at the injection site. If we as a country are not going to follow the lead of more advanced, forward thinking, nations when it comes to providing a safe drug supply to our users then we need to provide as many harm reduction techniques as possible. This means flooding our streets with narcan kits, fentanyl test strips, xylazine test strips, clean needles and kits, safe injection sites, and free testing for HepC, HIV, as well as linkage to places in which they can get help (treatment on an outpatient and/or inpatient basis).