Xylazine

Mexican health officials are concerned about the presence of Xylazine, an animal tranquilizer, in opioids in cities on the country’s northwest border with the United States. Xylazine, known as “tranq dope” or “zombie drug,” has worsened the opioid crisis in U.S. cities like Philadelphia. The sedative Xylazine can make opioid overdose reversal treatments less effective and raise the risk of fatal drug poisoning, as well as cause severe skin abscesses. The study, funded by Mexico’s National Council for Science and Technology, tested drug residues in Tijuana and Mexicali, identifying Xylazine as an adulterant in heroin and fentanyl. The consumption of fentanyl is also spreading within Mexico’s borders.