KLGR-area drug task force discovers xylazine used by addicts in the region

Xylazine, an animal tranquilizer approved by the FDA for veterinary use, is being used by drug addicts in the KLGR-area, according to an area drug task force.

On Wednesday, the CEE-VI Drug and Gang Task force stated that xylazine is making the deadliest drug threat in the nation today, fentanyl, even deadlier. More and more addicts are mixing the two drugs, putting users at even greater risk of a fatal poisoning.

Another side effect of xylazine is necrosis — literally, the death and rotting of human flesh — which could lead to amputation of limbs.

The federal Drug Enforcement Administration has seized xylazine and fentanyl mixtures in 48 of 50 states so far. In 2022, about 23 percent of seized fentanyl powder and seven percent of fentanyl pills contained xylazine.