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Xylazine, also known as "tranq", "tranq dope", or the "zombie drug", has seen increased usage. And most major U.S. cities are experiencing a health crisis.

San Francisco, New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles have been especially hard-hit. 

According to a study published in June 2022 in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology xylazine has been detected in drug supplies across 36 states and the District of Columbia. And in the months since the publication, the crisis continues to grow.

The drug is a mixture of fentanyl, a potent opioid, and xylazine, an animal tranquilizer. Xylazine is harmful to human health, and its use in street drugs has led to gruesome wounds and limb amputations. It literally eats the flesh of addicts.

Public health officials are sounding the alarm about the spread of "Tranq" and its impact on communities. 

Overuse of the drug can lead to rotting skin ulcerations and ultimately limb amputations if untreated, hence its horrifying nickname "zombie drug". 

Xylazine has been used for years to tranquilize large animals, but it is now showing up within the drug community. Overdose reversal drugs are ineffective against xylazine and that leads to more overdose deaths.

Zombie drug spreads from coast-to-coast

"The patterns have been what we see on the East Coast makes it to the West Coast with fentanyl being an example of that," said William Perno, the Senior Prevention Specialist for SAY San Diego.

The San Diego DEA's office says it detected xylazine 19 times in drugs seized in 2022 and found it four times in 2021. However, experts believe the actual number of cases may be much higher as xylazine is not typically tested for in emergency departments.

"Tranq" is also very cheap. In most cases, two pounds can be bought for as little as $6. This makes it an attractive option for drug dealers looking to cut their products with cheaper substances.

There is a growing concern that "Tranq" will have a devastating impact on communities across the United States. Public health officials are urging people to be cautious and seek help if they or someone they know is struggling with addiction.

Dr. Jim Dunford, the Medical Director of the McAlister institute said that overdose reversal drugs like Narcan, don't work against Xylazine. And that’s because the zombie drug is a sedative. 

It is referred to as the zombie drug because it often knocks users out for hours or makes them unresponsive. Even worse it damages human tissue. And that can lead to infections or in a growing number of cases amputations. 

“Tranq is wreaking havoc on the East Coast," said Dr. Dunford.

In the face of this crisis, it is essential for policymakers and communities to work together to find solutions to prevent the spread of "Tranq" and help those affected by addiction.