WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia faces an ongoing drug epidemic. In 2021, there were a record 1,276 fatal overdoses in Philadelphia alone-more than in 31 states; and
WHEREAS, Xylazine is a veterinary tranquilizer known by the street name “tranq.” It is not approved for human use but is cut into street fentanyl to give the user a prolonged high: the effects of heroin generally last 6-8 hours but the effects of fentanyl last 1-2 hours; and
WHEREAS, According to the Department of Public Health of Philadelphia, xylazine was in 90% of dope samples tested in Philly in 2021. (
see generally
https://hip.phila.gov/document/3154/PDPH-HAN_Update_13_Xylazine_12.08.2022.pdf/ and other Health Commissioner materials) Fentanyl was found in 94% of overdose deaths involving opioids, and xylazine was found in 44% of those deaths; and
WHEREAS, Since xylazine is not an opioid, Narcan does not reverse a xylazine overdose. There are no rapid strips that test for xylazine. It is associated with severe skin ulcers that spread and do not heal without medical care, regardless of whether people smoke, snort, or inject it; and
WHEREAS, Xylazine is not a controlled substance in Pennsylvania. It must urgently be monitored and researched so we can fulfill our duty to protect the public from the many harms associated with dangerous street drugs, including by program support, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, that we hereby call on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to add xylazine aka “tranq” to the list of controlled substances in Pennsylvania.
End