Fentanyl crisis: US wants to reduce deaths from drugs, including xylazine, by 15%

Fentanyl overdose deaths in the United States increased by 276% between 2019 and mid-2022, but in addition to the drug, federal authorities are concerned about the combination that exists with xylazine, a veterinary drug that has become popular among drug addicts.

The combination of both drugs has caused thousands of deaths in recent years, but its production and distribution is so complex that it has taken President Joe Biden’s government months to find a new way to deal with this health and safety crisis.

“The goal of the National Response Plan is to end the use of fentanyl in combination with xylazine as an emerging threat,” the document said in a media release. “This would require a 15% reduction in xylazine-positive drug poisoning deaths by 2025 (compared to the 2022 base year) in at least three of the four US Census regions.”

The Biden administration is instructing various departments and agencies to develop and submit an implementation report within 60 days.

“In the 12 months ending in January, we tragically lost more than 109,000 Americans to drug overdoses, with almost seven out of ten overdose deaths related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl,” Nira told reporters. Tanden, White’s adviser home on domestic policy.

The official pointed out that 11% of deaths are associated with fentanyl, the combination with xylazine played a disastrous role. A 15% reduction in drug-related deaths could save more than 15,000 lives.

“Each of these figures is tragic. They represent people, families, friends and communities that have been destroyed by opioids,” Tanden said, noting that this was the main motivation behind the new anti-use policy.

Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), said the new plan was a challenge due to fentanyl distribution networks and occasional use of xylazine in the country, as well as the need for tests that allow for more targeted policies and rescues. life.

“Testing on xylazine is currently being done by public and law enforcement agencies, but it’s not enough,” Gupta acknowledged. “We need more tests to get a national picture of the threat. Therefore, the federal government will work to standardize forensics methods to develop new tests for clinical settings, introduce testing in community settings, and target testing to those who need it.”

The strategy includes actions to try to break supply chains by pointing to China as one of the main suppliers of fentanyl precursors, as well as cartels in Mexico as intermediaries, although the xylazine combination also poses an internal problem as it is easily distributed from Puerto Rico, for example.

What is the plan about?

The National Response Plan outlines the actions the federal government will take against fentanyl, xylazine, and other drugs.

The published plan includes six main areas of activity: (1) laboratory testing; (2) data collection; (3) evidence-based prevention, harm reduction and treatment; (4) supply reduction; (5) programming and (6) research.

State governments are also encouraged to support the fight against fentanyl and xylazine, including preventive measures and care for people at risk of overdose.

“State, county, and city health authorities are encouraged to actively identify those who are believed to be using xylazine-fabricated fentanyl in order to offer low-threshold mobile care before their condition worsens,” the statement said.

State action should also focus on coordinating with federal authorities to “disrupt the illicit supply chain and hold traders accountable,” the plan says.

fentanyl xylazine problem

The White House paper reveals the importance of fentanyl addiction treatment in combination with xylazine due to several factors:

– Naloxone (anti-overdose) eliminates fentanyl overdose, but does not affect the effects of xylazine.

– Xylazine makes breathing very difficult due to its analgesic and depressant effect on the central nervous system, which requires intensive respiratory support.

“People can develop a “double” addiction to both fentanyl and xylazine, associated with extremely severe withdrawal symptoms.

– There are difficulties in initiating addiction treatment, including medications for opioid use disorder, due to a lack of consensus on the best treatment protocols.

– Xylazine causes the development of serious wounds, which can even lead to amputation of limbs.