Title: Biden Administration Launches National Response Plan to Combat Deadly Combination of Xylazine and Fentanyl
Subtitle: Animal anesthetic, Xylazine, emerges as a growing public health concern in the United States
Date: [Current Date]
In a bid to tackle the escalating opioid crisis, the Joe Biden Administration has introduced a National Response Plan that aims to address the deadly effects of combining the animal anesthetic, Xylazine, with the powerful opioid, Fentanyl. The use of this combination is responsible for a staggering two-thirds of the estimated 110,000 overdose deaths recorded in the United States last year, marking a historic high.
Rahul Gupta, the director of the National Office for Drug Control Policy, has designated the Xylazine-Fentanyl mixture as an “emerging threat” to the public health of Americans. Gupta’s concerns are well-founded as the anesthetic, commonly referred to as “tranq” or the “zombie drug,” has witnessed a significant surge in forensic examinations across the southern region of the United States, with its presence growing by a staggering 1,127% between 2020 and 2021. Currently, Xylazine has been detected in almost all states.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Xylazine was linked to 11% of overdose deaths last year. Gupta warns that the combination of Fentanyl and Xylazine proves to be even more lethal than Fentanyl alone, which is already known as a major contributor to the country’s most severe drug crisis.
The newly introduced plan aims to strengthen various aspects including enhanced testing, data collection, prevention measures, supply chain disruption, tracking efforts, and treatment strategies specifically targeting Xylazine. Gupta emphasizes the need for accurate street-level implementation in order to effectively combat its misuse.
Drug dealers are increasingly mixing Xylazine with Fentanyl to reduce manufacturing costs and elongate the duration of the Fentanyl’s ‘high.’ Apart from its addictive properties, the severe side effects of Xylazine range from skin ulcers and wounds to necrosis, potentially leading to amputations. Respiratory arrest is also a significant risk.
Furthermore, the inclusion of Xylazine in the equation complicates the efficacy of medications used to counter Fentanyl overdoses. While Narcan, an antidote containing naloxone, has proved highly effective in reversing Fentanyl overdoses, the presence of Xylazine renders it ineffective. As a result, the FDA recently approved the sale of Narcan without a prescription.
In addition to educating healthcare professionals on Xylazine withdrawal treatment and managing addiction, the plan seeks to address the issue of illegal imports from China and Mexico while seeking alternatives to naloxone that counteract the combination of Xylazine and Fentanyl.
The White House expects the agencies involved in the plan to present their proposals within 60 days. The Biden Administration has set a target of reducing Xylazine-related deaths by 15% by 2025.
The United States has had a complex history with opioids, with the widespread prescription of Oxycontin in the 1990s resulting in addiction. Subsequently, addicts turned to heroin, and the emergence of Fentanyl in the mid-2000s further exacerbated the crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the use of opioids, with overdose deaths reaching record numbers in recent years.
The fight against synthetic drugs has become a politically charged issue, with some demanding military intervention in Mexico to curb drug cartels. President Biden, running for re-election in 2024, has placed combating the opioid crisis high on his list of priorities. Recent events, such as the launch of the National Response Plan and the convening of ministers from 84 countries to address the crisis, illustrate the administration’s commitment to finding collaborative solutions.
As the United States battles the opioid crisis, the implementation of comprehensive strategies and increased awareness surrounding the risks associated with substances like Xylazine and Fentanyl will be crucial in safeguarding public health and saving lives.
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