Xylazine-Related Deaths on the Rise in 2023

News -- April 15, 2023: In recent years, the opioid epidemic has claimed countless lives across the United States,
with synthetic opioids like fentanyl playing a major role in this crisis.

However, there is a new emerging threat facing the nation in 2023: xylazine. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services released a report on February 21, 2023, highlighting the dramatic increase in xylazine-related deaths in the state. Two months later, on April 13, 2023, the White House declared xylazine an “emerging threat” facing the United States due to its role in the ongoing opioid crisis.

Xylazine, a veterinary sedative often used on large animals such as horses, has been increasingly found in counterfeit opioids like heroin and pills. Counterfeiters use xylazine to mimic the effects of opioids and make their products more potent, leading to a higher risk of overdose. According to the North Carolina report, xylazine was involved in over 400 overdose deaths in the state in 2022, a staggering increase from the 40 deaths reported in 2017.

The use of xylazine in counterfeit opioids is particularly concerning because it is not a drug that is typically used recreationally. This means that people who use counterfeit opioids containing xylazine may not be aware of its presence and the potentially lethal effects it can have. In addition, xylazine is not easily detected by routine drug tests, making it more difficult to track its use and prevalence.

The White House’s declaration of xylazine as an “emerging threat” highlights the urgent need for increased awareness, education, and action to address this new crisis. The administration is calling for increased funding for research on xylazine and its effects, as well as increased resources for law enforcement to target the production and distribution of counterfeit opioids.

The North Carolina report and the White House’s declaration are wake-up calls for the nation to take action against this new emerging threat in the ongoing opioid crisis. It is crucial for healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations to work together to raise awareness about the dangers of xylazine and take steps to prevent its use in counterfeit opioids. Failure to do so could lead to even more tragic and unnecessary deaths in the years to come.

WNCtimes