SR118

A Senate Resolution urging the Department of Health to increase awareness of the dangers of the drug xylazine.

Whereas, A new street drug, xylazine, also known as “Tranq” and “Zombie Drug” has created a growing concern in the State; and

Whereas, Xylazine, a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer not approved for human use, has been linked to an increasing number of overdose deaths in humans in New Jersey and surrounding states; and

Whereas, This non-opioid drug is a central nervous system depressant that can cause drowsiness and amnesia as well as slow breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure to dangerously low levels; and

Whereas, Repeated xylazine use is also associated with skin ulcers, abscesses, and complications; and

Whereas, People report using xylazine or xylazine-containing drugs by injecting, snorting, swallowing, or inhaling; and

Whereas, People who are exposed to xylazine, knowingly or unknowingly, use it in combination with other drugs, particularly illicit fentanyl; and

Whereas, xylazine containing fentanyl is used to lengthen the veterinary tranquilizer’s euphoric effects; and

Whereas, Taking opioids in combination with xylazine and other central nervous system depressants, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines, increases the risk of life-threatening overdoses; and

Whereas, Overdose deaths linked to both xylazine and fentanyl also involved other substances, including cocaine, heroin, benzodiazepines, alcohol, gabapentin, methadone, and prescription opioids; and

Whereas, Since xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone, a medication used for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose, cannot be used as an antidote; and

Whereas, The full scope of overdose deaths nationwide involving xylazine is unknown, however research shows that overdose deaths linked to xylazine have spread westward across the United States, with the largest number of overdose deaths occurring in the Northeast; and

Whereas, The New Jersey Drug Enforcement Administration recently issued a warning about xylazine and its adverse health effects, which can lead to overdose and death; and

Whereas, Xylazine has created a public health threat in New Jersey and surrounding states; and

Whereas, The New Jersey Department of Health should increase efforts to raise awareness on the human use of xylazine by providing New Jerseyans with appropriate educational resources; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Senate respectfully urges the New Jersey Department of Health to take the appropriate steps to inform the public of the dangers to humans who use xylazine as a recreational drug.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health.

STATEMENT

This resolution urges the New Jersey Department of Health to take the appropriate steps to inform the public of the dangers to humans who use xylazine as a recreational drug. The New Jersey Department of Health should increase efforts to raise awareness on the human use of xylazine by providing New Jerseyans with appropriate educational resources.

A new street drug, xylazine, also known as “Tranq” and “Zombie Drug” has created a growing concern in the State. The drug is a central nervous system depressant that can cause drowsiness and amnesia as well as slow breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure to dangerously low levels. Xylazine, a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer not approved for human use, has been linked to an increasing number of overdose deaths in humans in New Jersey and surrounding states.

Xylazine or xylazine-containing drugs are used by injecting, snorting, swallowing, or inhaling. Repeated xylazine use is also associated with skin ulcers, abscesses, and complications. People that are exposed to xylazine, knowingly or unknowingly, use it in combination with other drugs, particularly illicit fentanyl. Xylazine containing fentanyl is used to lengthen the veterinary tranquilizer’s euphoric effects. Overdose deaths linked to both xylazine and fentanyl also involved other substances, including cocaine, heroin, benzodiazepines, alcohol, gabapentin, methadone, and prescription opioids. Since xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone, a medication used for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose, cannot be used as an antidote.