Nashville officials caution against the rising threat of xylazine, an animal sedative found in overdose cases
In a concerning turn of events, city officials in Nashville have raised alarm over the increasing presence of xylazine, a sedative used for cats and horses, mixed with fentanyl in drug overdoses. The revelation came to light following the deaths of two individuals from drug overdoses in the Murfreesboro Road corridor. Tests showed the presence of xylazine, prompting further investigation.
Detection of Xylazine in counterfeit pills
Post this incident, Metro Nashville police Sgt. Mike Hotz took a proactive step and signed into the evidence room, where he accessed 120,000 counterfeit pills seized the previous month. Tests on the pills revealed they contained acetaminophen, fentanyl, and xylazine. A subsequent analysis of another set of seized pills yielded similar results, indicating an alarming trend.
Sgt. Mike Hotz emphasized this during a Metro Nashville Public Health and Safety Committee meeting. “That is a significant quantity of pills destined for the streets of Nashville,” he stated. “I believe that it’s important for the public, as well as our public officials, to understand that, unfortunately, xylazine is here, on scene, in Nashville’s drug supply.”
An alarming trend and its health implications
The presence of this veterinary sedative in Nashville’s drug supply is particularly concerning because nearly every time it was detected, it worked in concert with fentanyl, revealed Officer Hotz. According to a fourth-quarter report from The Metro Public Health Department, xylazine was found in about 2.7% of overdose deaths – more than 20 cases, which is double the number from 2020. In 2022, cases involving xylazine doubled again to 40 fatal overdoses, and the number has remained stable according to the 2023 fourth-quarter report.
The drug can cause serious health implications such as severe breathing issues, blood clots, muscle and nerve damage, kidney impairment, and it has even led to amputation in some cases due to serious open wounds. It can also cause a dual addiction with fentanyl, with which it is commonly paired.
Response and Assistance Required
Council member Jordan Huffman acknowledged the impact of xylazine, “I’ve seen what xylazine does to the human body firsthand,” he stated. Unveiling the grim reality, he pointed out how he has found homeless camps in his district riddled with victims struggling with the drug’s side effects, which often include the decay and loss of limbs.
Unfortunately, there is no human-approved treatment for a xylazine overdose. “That will need professional medical intervention usually to include significant breathing treatments,” stated Officer Hotz. For the time being, the Community Overdose Response Team (contact: 615-687-1701) and Crime Stoppers (contact: 615-742-7463) stand ready to help and receive any information about drug sales in the city.