Biden Administration Warns: Fentanyl-Laced with Xylazine Poses Emerging Threat in the US!
The White House has sounded the alarm on a new and dangerous threat facing the United States in the ongoing opioid crisis: the combination of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, with xylazine, an animal tranquilizer that is increasingly being used in illicit drugs. Administration officials have dubbed this deadly combination as FAAX, short for fentanyl-adulterated or -associated xylazine, and have declared it an "emerging threat" to the country, marking the first time in history that any substance has been given such a designation.
Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, explained that xylazine, which is an animal sedative, is being mixed with fentanyl and has been found in almost all 50 states in the US. Overdose deaths involving xylazine have skyrocketed, with a more than 1,000% increase in the South, 750% increase in the West, and about 500% increase in the Midwest between 2020 and 2021, according to a report by the US Drug Enforcement Administration. What's even more concerning is that some people might not even know that xylazine is present in the drug they are using.
Fentanyl, which has been driving the opioid crisis in the US, is already an incredibly dangerous drug due to its potency. However, the addition of xylazine can extend the duration of the high it provides, making it even more lethal. Xylazine is not an opioid and is not approved for use in humans by the US Food and Drug Administration, as it is a veterinary tranquilizer typically used in horses. Its use in illicit drugs has been linked to severe skin ulcers, soft-tissue wounds, and necrosis, which can lead to amputation.
The declaration of xylazine combined with fentanyl as an emerging threat allows the administration to coordinate a national response within 90 days. Dr. Gupta stated that the Office of National Drug Control Policy is working quickly to develop and implement a nationwide plan involving various government agencies, with the aim of saving lives and addressing the evolving challenge of these dangerous drugs.
President Biden has also requested a budget of $46.1 billion from Congress to tackle the nation's illicit drug crisis, and some of these funds can now be allocated towards addressing the FAAX threat. The administration is urging Congress to approve the budget request to ensure that resources are available to combat this emerging threat without diverting funds from other important initiatives.
The rise of synthetic drugs, such as the combination of fentanyl and xylazine, has added a new layer of complexity to the ongoing opioid crisis in the US. In addition to the shift from organic compounds like heroin and cocaine to synthetic drugs, the way drugs are bought and sold has also changed drastically. With the ease of ordering drugs through social media apps on smartphones, dangerous substances are more accessible than ever, posing a significant challenge for law enforcement and public health officials.
The declaration of FAAX as an emerging threat by the White House sends a clear message to producers and traffickers of illicit xylazine and fentanyl that the government is committed to responding swiftly to protect lives. The coordination of a national response within 90 days and the allocation of resources from the proposed budget will enable a more focused and comprehensive approach to tackling this new threat. As the opioid crisis continues to evolve, it is crucial for policymakers, law enforcement, and healthcare professionals to adapt and respond effectively to prevent further loss of life and address the growing challenges posed by synthetic drugs like FAAX.