Getting to Know Xylazine: A Fresh Danger on the Streets
You might have caught wind of a new drug that’s got health and law enforcement officials worried. Let’s talk about xylazine, a substance people are calling the ‘zombie drug’ because of how scary its effects are.
Xylazine isn’t like your usual street drugs. Vets first made it to sedate animals, but now it’s shown up in the illegal drug market. People selling drugs have started mixing xylazine with opioids like heroin. This mix is cheaper to make but makes it more likely for someone to overdose.
What’s scary is that people have found xylazine in cannabis vapes too. This means people who don’t know about it might end up using it without realising.
The Worrying Nickname: Why People Call It the ‘Zombie Drug’
The name ‘zombie drug’ may seem over-the-top, but it comes from what the drug does to people who use it for a long time. Xylazine can make people unable to move and likely to get skin sores that won’t heal. These easy-to-see and upsetting signs have led to its scary nickname.
Xylazine Crisis: A Look at the Numbers
The numbers tell a grim story. In the US, deaths from xylazine overdoses shot up from 102 in 2018 to 3,468 in 2021. This quick rise shows how urgent it is to deal with this new danger.
Britain’s Proactive Approach to Combat Xylazine
The UK government has acted fast to address this growing problem. They’ve put a bill before Parliament to make xylazine a Class C drug. This step puts Britain ahead of the US, Canada, and Mexico in tackling this issue.
A Comprehensive Strategy: Beyond Xylazine
The government isn’t just focusing on xylazine. They plan to target 22 harmful substances in total, with six to become Class A drugs. The punishments for making or selling these Class A drugs are tough. They can include life in prison, a fine with no upper limit, or both.
Nitazenes: Another Emerging Threat
New types of nitazenes are among the drugs being outlawed. These man-made opioids can be hundreds of times stronger than heroin. This means they have a high risk of causing accidental overdoses.
Staying One Step Ahead: Plugging Legal Gaps
The government plans to bring in a new catch-all definition of nitazenes. This aims to stop drug makers from tweaking their recipes to dodge the law.
Official Statement: Taking a Stand on Drug Abuse
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson stressed the government’s drive to tackle drugs that put lives at risk and let drug gangs take advantage of those in need. This firm stance shows how serious the issue is.
Looking Forward: What This Means for Tomorrow
These new rules should kick in later this year or early in 2025. While it’s a big move, we’ll have to wait and see if it’s enough to deal with this dangerous new drug trend. By acting fast against these new drugs, Britain shows it cares about keeping people safe and healthy. This approach might shape how other countries deal with similar problems.
Photo: “Xylazine” by Anthony Cunningham for Zoom Testing
Zoom Testing is a leading UK drug testing company and a supplier of Drug Test Kits.
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What do you think about these new steps? Do they hit the right spot, or should we think about doing more? It’s a key talk as we try to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.