Xylazine combinations produced in China and supplied by “evil drug dealers” are spreading rapidly, and Senator Chuck Schumer has asked the DEA for help.
Democratic New York Senator Chuck Schumer called for a press conference on Sunday in New York City to discuss “a deadly, skin-rotting zombie drug” that would make the fentanyl outbreak seem “tame.”
The fentanyl crisis in New York City and its surrounding areas (the five boroughs, Long Island, and the suburbs) is well-known. However, fentanyl has now been laced with something much deadlier. It is often combined with other euphoric substances like heroin. It’s possible that this novel drug is harmful. The correct name is Xylazine, Schumer corrected him. It’s a medication specifically designed to kill zombies by hastening the deterioration of their flesh. Criminal gangs are now adulterating it with other drugs like fentanyl and heroin. And we have seen how bad it is in New York City and Long Island, where it is rapidly expanding after having killed many and caused many overdoses in upstate New York.
This hazardous combination of fentanyl and xylazine was highlighted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in a public service announcement on Monday.
The head of the DEA, Anne Milgram, recently informed the public that there has been “a sharp increase” in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with the powerful sleep aid xylazine, commonly sold under the brand name “Tranq,” which the FDA has approved for use in animals.
Schumer justified the legality of xylazine by citing its widespread usage to sedate livestock such as horses and cows.
We rely heavily on the DEA since much of it is smuggled across the border from China via Mexico. Since the New York City police perform a fantastic job, the issue must originate from elsewhere. It wasn’t made at this location. Few New York City veterinarians use it since there are so few horses and cows.
Death is the inevitable result. It might hasten the skin’s aging process. Possible bone loss as a result. “It can cause amputations,” Schumer said. Even worse, xylazine doesn’t alter Narcan’s effectiveness, thus it can mask fentanyl’s potency. This potentially lethal pharmaceutical is safe for legal usage, but it does not include the anti-overdose drug Narcan. Tens of thousands of people’s lives have been saved thanks to the medicine Narcan.
Schumer proposed a two-pronged solution to mitigate and compensate for xylazine’s disastrous effects.
To combat the proliferation of xylazine, the senator requested that the DEA deploy to the New York metropolitan area a “diversion control team” comprised of investigators, special agents, chemists, pharmacologists, and program analysts. Schumer has pledged, as Senate Majority Leader, to advocate for more funding for programs that address substance misuse and mental illness in New York and on Long Island. Funding for law enforcement, medical care, and schools would all increase.
He is lobbying for more funding for the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services branch of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
The mission of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) diversion control branch is to prevent, detect, and investigate the criminal use of restricted drugs.
When asked what the diversion teams do, Schumer compared them to the Navy SEALs.
Schumer made a reference to a statement made by New York City’s Special Prosecutor for Drugs Bridget Brennan in front of the City Council. Last week, Brennan stated that growing data indicates xylazine is associated with overdose deaths in the Big Apple. Since its introduction over a year ago, it has made life difficult for vendors on the street.
Even if a warning shot were fired over the bow. This is it,” Schumer said.
New York City police discovered almost 44 pounds of fentanyl and xylazine during a money laundering investigation in Queens. Toxicologists have discovered an uptick in the presence of xylazine in the bodies of Nassau County residents. After their deaths, four people were found to have the substance in their systems. This year, 16 corpses in Suffolk County have tested positive for xylazine.
I’ve made it quite clear that this substance was never intended for human consumption. It’s perfectly legal,” Schumer added. While China is the primary source, Mexico is also a contributor. Drug traffickers are peddling this treatment because of its similarity to opioids. Our police personnel are aware of the importance of cooperation in the face of this threat. The drug war showed that any issue may be fixed if measures are taken before it has a chance to worsen.
According to Schumer, there were forty xylazine overdoses in Syracuse last month. The storm is expected to approach New York City and Long Island after first striking Albany and Rochester.
Milgram has already warned that fentanyl combined with xylazine is extremely lethal. In the history of the United States, fentanyl is the most lethal drug problem. The DEA has discovered xylazine and fentanyl together in 48 of the 50 states. In 2022, the DEA Laboratory System discovered xylazine in around 23% of fentanyl powder and approximately 7% of fentanyl tablets.