Screening For New, Dangerous Street Drug

Xylazine, also known as the street drug “tranq,” is an animal tranquilizer commonly used to sedate livestock during surgeries.

Unfortunately, this sedative is being mixed with other illicit drugs and has been linked to a growing number of overdose deaths across the United States. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, xylazine-positive overdose deaths in the Midwest increased by more than 500% from 2020 to 2021. Since this drug is not an opioid, overdose reversal medications like Naloxone or Narcan are less effective.

That’s why I supported a new law tasking coroners with testing overdose victims for any amount of xylazine and identifying whether the person was resistant to drug overdose reversal medication.

By gathering important data on the drug’s prevalence, we can form an action plan to prevent overdoses and help Hoosiers struggling with addiction. To learn more about the new law, which will take effect July 1, visit iga.in.gov.