According to a written statement from the White House, Director of the Office of Drug Control Policy, Dr. Rahul Gupta identified fentanyl mixed with xylazine, a sedative and muscle relaxant used in the treatment of animals, as an “emerging threat” for the United States.
While xylazine is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for veterinary use, not human use, xylazine also has an impact on deaths from drug overdose across the country.
At the same time, President Joe Biden’s adviser on the fight against drugs, Dr. Gupta stated that he was very worried about the destructive effect of the fentanyl-xylazine combination and stated that they developed new tools for public health and public safety against the said combination, which was declared a “threat”.
According to data from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), use of xylazine increased significantly in the United States in 2020-2021, with 193 percent in the south and 112 percent in the west.
According to the DEA, xylazine has also been found in the blood of drug-induced deaths, with the number of cases increasing significantly across the country.
The White House also announced that as part of the fight against drugs, an interagency working group will be established to identify strategies for xylazine testing, treatment and supportive care protocols, comprehensive data systems, and reducing the illicit supply of xylazine.