CPD says drug Xylazine is becoming a problem

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) responded to Xylazine usage across the country in today’s briefing.

The powerful sedative also known as “Tranq” is being mixed with fentanyl.

It is used primarily in veterinary medicine.

Drug dealers like it because it is cheap and powerful.

“It applies the effect, and it also does it cheaply. So, you can buy that ingredient, the Xylazine, very cheaply online. And you can make your profits go way up. That’s eventually what they are doing.”

The U.S. DEA says Xylanzine can cause breathing and heart rate problems. And that’s dangerous business.

“Xylazine is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier,” said DEA Administrator Milgram. “DEA has seized xylazine and fentanyl mixtures in 48 of 50 States. The DEA Laboratory System is reporting that in 2022 approximately 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills seized by the DEA contained xylazine.”

They also state that since Xylazine is not an opioid, Narcan cannot reduce its effects.