Animal tranquilizer deaths among Georgians are rising, health department data says
While drug overdose deaths from fentanyl continue to grow at an alarming rate, a new disturbing trend is emerging of overdose deaths from an animal tranquilizer that is making its way into the illicit drug supply in Georgia.
Xylazine, also referred to as “Tranq”, is a sedative used by veterinarians but is becoming more prominent due to its use as an adulterant in other drugs such as fentanyl, according to the DEA.
Recent reporting by the Ledger-Enquirer showed a drastic increase in the number of fentanyl overdose deaths in Georgia from 2019 to to 2021.
Now, preliminary numbers from the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) show the trend of overdose deaths from fentanyl continues to rise.
Xylazine-related overdose death have increased 1360% percent in the state between 2020 and 2022. In 2020 there were 15 deaths related to xylazine in the state which has since increased to 219 in 2022, according to the preliminary data from GDPH.
Why is xylazine becoming more prominent?
The DEA says xylazine is used as an adulterant to illicit drugs to possibly increase the amount of profit a dealer can make.
“A kilogram of xylazine powder can be purchased online from Chinese suppliers with common prices ranging from $6-$20 U.S. dollars per kilogram,” according to the DEA’s website.
The drugs death toll has risen across the U.S. but seems to be growing more drastically in the South, according to DEA data. Between 2020 and 2021 the DEA reports the South had a 193% increase to 580 overdose deaths from xylazine. The highest out of any of the four regions.
The CDC reports that “Tranq” is being mixed in with illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroin and fentanyl. Xylazine is not approved for use in people and the CDC says that the animal sedative can cause a myriad of symptoms and health risks including: difficulty breathing, dangerously low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, wounds that can become infected, severe withdrawal symptoms and death.
Can Naloxone help people overdosing on xylazine?
The CDC says that naloxone can’t reverse the effects of someone overdosing on xylazine. However, given that the xylazine is an adulterant to other drugs naloxone can be administered to reverse the effects those drugs may be having in the overdose.
However, naloxone has no effect on someone who has taken strictly xylazine and is suffering adverse effects.
Is “Tranq” in my county?
The preliminary data provided by GDPH for the Central Health District of Georgia showed that xylazine has found its way into Muscogee County, Harris County and Crisp County.
Muscogee County had one death from xylazine in 2022, Harris County had one death and Crisp County saw three deaths from the animal sedative. All counties in the central district had reported no deaths from xylazine in either 2020 or 2021.
How much has fentanyl overdose deaths increased and why?
Fentanyl-related overdose deaths increased over 20% to 1568 in Georgia, according to the preliminary numbers from GDPH. This is over a 92% increase within the state since 2020.
Part of the problem may lie with a major distribution hub of fentanyl being located within Georgia. The DEA told the Ledger-Enquirer that Atlanta is a prominent hub for drug distribution (including fentanyl) along the east coast.
The negative impact of fentanyl can be felt in the surrounding counties with over 330 overdose deaths from fentanyl in 2021 for Fulton County, Cobb County and DeKalb County combined.
Drug dealers are using fentanyl in order to sell smaller quantities and still maintain the effect their clientele want, according to Dr. Kavita Babu of the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
Data provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health is preliminary and subject to change.
This story was originally published June 21, 2023 at 5:00 AM.