Tranq making ‘deadliest drug threat’ in US ‘even deadlier,’ DEA warns

WASHINGTON (WPIX) – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has issued a public safety alert warning Americans about the widespread threat of fentanyl mixed with xylazine, an animal tranquilizer commonly referred to as “tranq.”“Xylazine is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier,” said DEA Administrator Ann Milgram. “DEA has seized xylazine and fentanyl mixtures in 48 of 50 states.”The DEA said xylazine and fentanyl drug mixtures place users at a higher risk of suffering a fatal drug overdose. Xylazine is an FDA-approved drug used in animals as a sedative and pain reliever. Despite this, the DEA warns naloxone, or Narcan, can’t be used to reverse the effects of xylazine as it can with opioids. “Still, experts always recommend administering naloxone if someone might be suffering a drug poisoning,” the DEA said.