White House Lays Out Plan to Combat Xylazine, But Stops Short of New Restrictions

The potent animal sedative, Xylazine, which is permeating the country's illicit drug market, was asked for more testing and research on Tuesday, but federal officials refrained from suggesting new limitations on the veterinary drug.

The White House's drug control office has developed a six-point plan that intends to increase testing, treatment, and measures to stop the illegal shipments of xylazine, which is mixed with fentanyl and other illegal opioids, as reported by The Associated Press.

In April, the White House referred to xylazine-laced fentanyl as an "emerging threat" and urged the development of a comprehensive plan to prevent its usage.

When taken in humans, xylazine, also referred to as tranq, can cause respiration and heart rates to drop to hazardous levels. When injected, it can result in significant open wounds, infections, and occasionally amputation.

Dr. Rahul Gupta stated that administration officials will "explore" making xylazine a scheduled medication, subject to regulatory constraints comparable to opioids and amphetamines, in the report that was made public on Tuesday.

The majority of the White House proposal concentrates on enhancing how medical professionals track and handle the drug's use.

Various methods are being used to test for xylazine, and various medical examiners and health authorities commonly find the drug in dead overdose victims and gathered drug paraphernalia.

Recent federal statistics indicate that use has exploded in recent years. But in order to comprehend the trajectory and extent of the drug's dissemination, a standard testing approach is required.

The strategy also asks for the creation of quick tests that medical professionals and community workers may use to diagnose and treat overdose victims. Another step required to complete the data picture is the development of medical billing codes for the treatment of xylazine-impacted patients, according to officials.

Other crucial objectives are, including creating and training health professionals on the best procedures and drugs to treat xylazine addiction and withdrawal. That includes attending to xylazine-related skin injuries.

It will also include locating and stopping xylazine imports that are prohibited from other countries, such as China and Mexico, and looking for new medication alternatives to fast counteract xylazine's effects, which might lead users to pass out. Since xylazine is not an opioid, it does not react to the common opioid-reversal medication, naloxone.

The Spread of Xylazine

The spread of xylazine in the illicit drug supply has been a cause for concern for public health officials. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of overdose deaths involving Xylazine. In some cases, xylazine has been found to be the sole drug present in overdose deaths.

(Photo: by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images) Leonardo Dominguez Gomez, field researcher with the New York City Department of Health, holds up drug tests used to detect the presence of fentanyl and xylazine in different kinds of drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, at St. Ann's Corner of Harm Reduction in New York City on May 25, 2023.

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the spread of xylazine in the illicit drug supply. One factor is the increasing availability of xylazine online. Xylazine is often sold as a "research chemical" or "feed additive," and it can be easily purchased online without a prescription.

Another factor that has contributed to the spread of xylazine is the fact that it is often used to "cut" other drugs, such as fentanyl. Fentanyl is a powerful opioid that is often added to other drugs to increase their potency. Xylazine is often used to cut fentanyl because it is cheap and easy to obtain.

The spread of Xylazine in the illicit drug supply is a serious public health threat. Xylazine is a dangerous drug, and it can be deadly when used in conjunction with other drugs. Public health officials are working to address the spread of Xylazine, but more needs to be done to prevent this drug from reaching the hands of users.