0
0
Public health officials in Mexico have raised concerns following the discovery of the animal tranquilizer Xylazine in opioids in cities along the country’s northwest border with the United States.
Known colloquially as “tranq dope” or the “zombie drug,” Xylazine, when mixed with heroin and fentanyl, has exacerbated the opioid crisis in U.S. cities like Philadelphia in recent years.
On April 8, Mexico’s health ministry, in collaboration with the mental health and addiction commission (CONASAMA), issued an alert for health personnel and first responders in Mexican border cities, warning of the potential adulteration of heroin and fentanyl with Xylazine.
Xylazine, although a sedative and not an opioid, poses significant risks when combined with opioids. It can reduce the effectiveness of opioid overdose reversal treatments and increase the likelihood of fatal drug poisoning. Additionally, it can cause severe skin abscesses, which may be life-threatening.
Importantly, Xylazine is approved for use in animals but not humans, both in Mexico and the United States.
The alert stems from a study that analyzed 300 samples of drug residues in the cities of Tijuana and Mexicali. The study identified Xylazine as an adulterant in 35 residues of heroin mixed with fentanyl and 26 fentanyl residues. While the study is ongoing and has not yet been published, it is funded by Mexico’s National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT).
Clara Fleiz, an investigator at Mexico’s National Institute of Psychiatry and the lead author of the study, expressed surprise at the discovery of Xylazine. She noted that the study was originally aimed at identifying adulterants in drugs and was not specifically targeting Xylazine.
This alarm comes at a time when there are indications that the consumption of fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid responsible for tens of thousands of deadly overdoses annually in the United States, is spreading within Mexico’s borders.
The emergence of Xylazine-adulterated opioids underscores the evolving challenges in combating drug abuse and trafficking, not only in Mexico but also across international borders. As authorities work to address this growing concern, heightened vigilance and cooperation among health professionals, law enforcement agencies, and policymakers will be essential in mitigating the impact of these dangerous substances on public health and safety.
