Xylazine - Lethal Drug Added Into Street Drugs
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| What Else is in Street Drugs? |
Written by and for
people with Lived Experience - Port Alberni Community Action Team - Families
Helping Families.
Xylazine is a horse or cattle tranquillizer, pronounced (zai·luh·zeen) – street name, “Tranq”. In Canada, Xylazine is only approved for veterinary use. There
are reasons for that. For humans, Xylazine has some pretty horrendous side
effects.
Most of us would wonder how such a potent animal drug got into the poisoned
drug supply. In the early 2000s, illicit drug suppliers latched on to Xylazine
for a whole pile of reasons. It’s cheap and relatively easy to source. Because of
its potency, a little goes a very long way. In addition, adding it to other
drugs, especially in the opioid (fentanyl) family prolongs the overall effect
of all the drugs in the mix.
The primary response to anyone who is unresponsive, not breathing and possibly with no heartbeat, including in overdose situations is ALWAYS to re-oxygenate them through 1st aid rescue breathing and/or CPR. Every second counts! Then administer Naloxone, as soon as possible. However, people helping someone with an overdose may find that the person doesn't respond to Naloxone. If that's the case, you should suspect the presence of Xylazine or other drugs. Because Xylazine can seriously depress the respiratory system, 1st Responders and Emergency Care are essential. Call 911 immediately! Xylazine leaves overdose victims at extreme risk of severe complications or even death.
Naloxone is a medication that is commonly used to reverse the effects of opioids, including, fentanyl, heroin, and morphine. The medication works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and blocking the effects of opioid drugs. However, Xylazine works on different receptors in the brain than opioids. Naloxone does not bind to receptors that Xylazine uses in the brain.
As mentioned earlier, one of the most significant dangers of Xylazine mixed with illicit opioid-based drugs is that it causes serious respiratory depression. That means that breathing slows down or stops altogether. Combine this with the effects of opioids and we have the perfect storm which increases the lethal potential of an overdose exponentially. This is because the combination of opioids and Xylazine worsen respiratory depression which leads to decreased oxygen levels in the body, and causes organ damage and even death if left untreated.
Given the increased presence of Xylazine in the poisoned drug supply, it is crucially important that people understand that if Xylazine is present in an overdose, people will not respond to the administration of naloxone. This changes the way we respond to any overdose now. If you’ve given more than two doses of naloxone, and the person is not responding, continue support for breathing and call 911 Responders immediately.
Xylazine overdose treatment requires other forms of medical intervention, such as mechanical ventilation or airway management. These are usually only available via Paramedics and Emergency Rooms. The sooner a person arrives in an ER after a Xylazine overdose event, the better their chances of survival.
Xylazine works by depressing the central nervous system, resulting in sedation, muscle relaxation, and pain relief. However, when used in humans, xylazine has other serious and potentially life-threatening side effects.
In addition to respiratory depression, Xylazine can also cause other harmful side effects, including low blood pressure, seizures, and cardiac arrest. The drug can also cause confusion, disorientation, and hallucinations, which can lead to risky or dangerous behaviours.
In humans, Xylazine can pose significant challenges to wound healing. Xylazine has several effects that interfere with the body's natural healing processes, including blood vessel constriction (vasoconstriction) and decreased blood flow to wounds.
One of the primary ways that Xylazine affects wound healing is by causing vasoconstriction, or narrowing of the blood vessels. This reduces blood flow to the wound site, which in turn will slow down the delivery of oxygen and nutrients that are essential for healing. Additionally, vasoconstriction increases the risk of tissue damage or necrosis, which can further delay the healing process.
Another challenge associated with xylazine use is that it can interfere with the immune system's response to infection. The drug can suppress the body's natural defences, making it more difficult to fight off harmful bacteria or other pathogens that may be present in a wound. This can increase the risk of infection and further delay the healing process.
In addition to
these challenges, Xylazine can also cause sedation and decreased mobility,
which further impedes the body's natural healing processes. People who are
sedated or unable to move around may be at higher risk of complications such as
pressure ulcers or blood clots, which can delay healing and prolong recovery
time.
In the illicit market, Xylazine is often mixed with other substances
or sold under false pretences. In some cases, dealers may sell their product fully
well knowing that it has Xylazine in it, but tell the buyer it is fentanyl
or heroin, leading to unintentional overdoses. In fact, in today’s world, you
can pretty much expect to find Xylazine, or for that matter, fentanyl and many other drugs in any main illicit drug including cocaine, meth and MDMA. In its own right, Xylazine is
highly addictive. Unfortunately because of the side effects of withdrawal from
Xylazine, no one should try to stop using Xylazine except under professional medical
care.
Given the potential dangers of Xylazine, if you are a person who uses substances,
especially down (opioids) it is vital to never trust your supply. Even supply
from the same batch can vary in potency from one dose to another. Get your
drugs tested. On Vancouver Island, you can get drugs tested. You can even mail in samples. Go here for more info.
Try small amounts before committing to your regular dose. Don’t
use alone! Partner with someone who will be the “designated driver” until their
turn or have someone watch over you. If those options are not available, use
NORS 1-888-688-NORS(6677), or the Brave
or Lifeguard apps.
Author: Ron Merk – Ron is a person with
lived experience and advocates for people and families with concurrent
disorders. (This article was written with the help of AI -accessing the
combined knowledge of humanity)
Note: We may use words or phrases in our articles that are not first person, or
the latest best-in-practice language. Sometimes we will use older, non-informed
jargon. to clarify and inform people who are learning the new non-stigmatizing
language. (linking old language usage to new terms) You can tell when you run
into these old or non-inclusive words or phrases. They will be in quotation
marks - eg old word “addiction” – When we introduce new inclusive language,
words or phrases, they will be in Parenthesis - eg (people with substance
disorders).
Families Helping Families is an initiative of the Port Alberni Community Action
Team. We regularly send out "Learning Moment" articles to help folks
understand substance disorders or concurrent disorders. Knowledge is vital in
understanding these disorders of our family members. You may copy, distribute
or share our articles as long as you retain the attribution. Add yourself to
our distribution list by dropping us a note at - albernihelp@gmail.com
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