SANTA CRUZ — Santa Cruz County public health officials are warning that a dangerous sedative is being detected in illegal opioids with alarming frequency. Xylazine, a powerful pain relief treatment intended for animals with no approved use in humans, is being added to street opioids, namely fentanyl and heroin, to enhance the effects of the drugs and often without the knowledge of those who use them. This makes the already potentially deadly drugs that much more lethal.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Gilroy police open investigation into woman’s death Crime and Public Safety | Ex-San Jose police union executive intends to admit to illegal opioid importing Crime and Public Safety | Santa Clara County Fairgrounds employee charged with extorting security company Crime and Public Safety | San Jose officer’s police license suspended after child sex charges in San Benito County Crime and Public Safety | San Jose police officer charged with assaulting pregnant girlfriend, home shooting “Xylazine is increasingly being mixed into street drugs, leading to a higher risk of overdose and serious health complications,” Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Lisa Hernandez said in a release from the county Health Services Agency. “The safest approach is to avoid using street drugs.
Stay as safe as possible: never use alone, recognize the signs of overdose, seek help, and stay informed.” The combination of xylazine and fentanyl in particular is known as “tranq dope..