Zombie Drug
Mussi Katz from Israel, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Xylazine, more commonly called the “Zombie Drug”, has rapidly become more prevalent. It causes excessive drowsiness and necrosis, which is the death of bodily tissue. It rots the skin, which leads to the loss of fingers, toes, or even limbs in more severe cases. This new drug is causing a scare among those who know people who have abused substances, or even have used them themselves.
Xylazine first came from Puerto Rico, but has gained popularity in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. But Philadelphia has become ground zero for this new drug. These cities are all places that have seen a large rise in overdoses within the past year. It's mostly used in lower income areas, due to how cheap and accessible it is.
“Xylazine is in 91% of the Heroin and Fentanyl supply in Philadelphia,” Zachary Pottle reported in an article for Addiction Center. “Its prevalence is making its way west.”
With the wave of overdoses due to this comes a lot of fear from those in the area. Along with the large amount of people who abuse substances, Tranq will just increase those numbers. The rise of deaths has gone hand in hand with fear from individuals who suffer from substance abuse and those who know people who suffer.
“The main concern was already amid the word overdose crisis in history,” Pottle said. “This would increase deaths from overdoses.”
This “Zombie Drug” is not approved by the FDA because it is so dangerous for human use. It causes low blood pressure, slows breathing and lowers heart rate which can lead to death. A gradual effect that Xylazine also possesses is rotting of the skin, sometimes as far as to the bone. Remember, originally this drug was used as an anesthetic for animals as large as cattle.
“Xylazine is a cheap additive that increases potency as well as the risks for overdose and death,” Las Angeles County Public Health researchers said in their report “Xylazine in LA County”.
Even with the extreme health risks, many abuse Xylazine since they find it appealing because it is cheaper compared to Heroin and Fentanyl. Xylazine also knocks out users for up to eight hours, which is longer than any other opioid.
“Some users intentionally seek out Heroin or Fentanyl mixed with Xylazine," The DEA said in The Growing Threat of Xylazine and its Mixture with Illicit Drugs
It has led to a higher overdose rate. Xylazine is a potentiator, meaning it increases the high of other drugs when cut with them. It causes the skin of users to rot and decay, sometimes leading to the loss of fingers.
It's difficult to help those who suffer with addiction, but it's possible. Education is key; once educated on the drug, you can help others. You must express your concerns and encourage sufferers of addiction to seek help. The rising number of overdoses can be controlled if the community come together to support each other.
“Addiction is a brain disorder, it's just as life threatening as heart disease,” according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. “You may be in the best position to help the addict.”