NEW DELHI: Experts are sounding an alarm over the spread of Xylazine, a potent animal tranquiliser known as ‘tranq‘, which has been linked to 11 deaths in the UK. This drug, powerful enough to sedate elephants, has been found in cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and even some cannabis vapes, posing a grave threat to public health. Originally developed in the 60s for large animals, its misuse among humans is causing severe health issues, including flesh-rotting effects on users, a Daily Mail report said.
The situation in the UK mirrors the crisis in the US, where cities like Philadelphia and New York have seen their streets turn into ‘zombielands’ due to the rampant use of tranq. Its addition to cocaine and other drugs makes them more potent and extends their supply, creating a dangerous cycle of dependency and harm. With the UK having the highest cocaine usage rate in Europe, the presence of tranq in these supplies is particularly concerning.
Researchers from King’s College London have detected tranq in various illegal substances, revealing the extent of its penetration into Britain’s drug market. This discovery is alarming due to the severe side effects associated with the drug, including ulcers and necrosis, particularly in individuals who inject it directly into their bloodstream.
Dr Caroline Copeland, a senior author and expert in toxicology, emphasizes the need for immediate action to prevent a tranq epidemic similar to that in the US. Proposed measures include making cheap xylazine test strips available, educating healthcare providers on the signs of xylazine-related skin ulcers, and urging pathologists and coroners to test specifically for xylazine to grasp the true prevalence of the drug in the UK.
The drug’s rise in the US, where it is often mixed with stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine, has been linked to creating a state of zombie-like immobility in users. This combination of a sedative and stimulant prevents users from completely passing out, trapping them in a dangerous limbo. The flesh-rotting quality of tranq, while not fully understood, is thought to be due to its constriction of blood vessels, which hampers the body’s ability to heal wounds and increases the risk of severe infections, the Daily Mail report said.
As the UK grapples with this emerging threat, the situation calls for heightened awareness and swift intervention to mitigate the spread of tranq and its devastating effects on individuals and communities.
The situation in the UK mirrors the crisis in the US, where cities like Philadelphia and New York have seen their streets turn into ‘zombielands’ due to the rampant use of tranq. Its addition to cocaine and other drugs makes them more potent and extends their supply, creating a dangerous cycle of dependency and harm. With the UK having the highest cocaine usage rate in Europe, the presence of tranq in these supplies is particularly concerning.
Researchers from King’s College London have detected tranq in various illegal substances, revealing the extent of its penetration into Britain’s drug market. This discovery is alarming due to the severe side effects associated with the drug, including ulcers and necrosis, particularly in individuals who inject it directly into their bloodstream.
Dr Caroline Copeland, a senior author and expert in toxicology, emphasizes the need for immediate action to prevent a tranq epidemic similar to that in the US. Proposed measures include making cheap xylazine test strips available, educating healthcare providers on the signs of xylazine-related skin ulcers, and urging pathologists and coroners to test specifically for xylazine to grasp the true prevalence of the drug in the UK.
The drug’s rise in the US, where it is often mixed with stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine, has been linked to creating a state of zombie-like immobility in users. This combination of a sedative and stimulant prevents users from completely passing out, trapping them in a dangerous limbo. The flesh-rotting quality of tranq, while not fully understood, is thought to be due to its constriction of blood vessels, which hampers the body’s ability to heal wounds and increases the risk of severe infections, the Daily Mail report said.
As the UK grapples with this emerging threat, the situation calls for heightened awareness and swift intervention to mitigate the spread of tranq and its devastating effects on individuals and communities.