Breaking News: Xylazine: Experts warn that the potent "zombie drug" Tranq has "penetrated" the UK market.

Xylazine: Experts warn that the potent "zombie drug" Tranq has "penetrated" the UK market. 

Xylazine was previously classified as a "emerging threat" in America, and now they claim that the substance's harm to public health has extended to Britain.

Timmy Mabs, report. 10th April, 2024.

A research has warned that a potent animal tranquillizer that has been troubling US towns has now "penetrated" the illegal drug market in the UK.

Xylazine, sometimes known as "Tranq" or "the zombie drug" because to its effects on users, has previously been classified by the White House as a "emerging threat to the nation."

During Karl Warburton's post-mortem, which took place in May 2022 after he was discovered dead at his Solihull home, the drug was first connected to a UK death.

To reduce their expenses and boost demand, dealers typically combine or "cut" tranquillizers with potent opioids like fentanyl or heroin.

Injection site infections and skin blisters are common among users, who have previously told Sky News that the combination exacerbates their addiction.

The White House unveiled a six-point plan to address the issue last year in response to an increase in mortality linked to xylazine.

According to researchers, who are headed by scholars from King's College London, the health hazard has "now expanded to the United Kingdom".

Their study looked at several toxicological, drug testing, and drug seizure sources and was published in the journal Addiction.

Xylazine was identified in cocaine, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) vape pens, and counterfeit prescription medicine tablets, albeit it was frequently combined with illegal narcotics.

By the end of August of last year, researchers discovered 35 cases of xylazine in Wales, Scotland, and England. Northern Ireland did not have any cases.

Data from toxicology test samples were released, showing that the substance was detected in 16 individuals, 11 of whom had passed away.

Of the samples, eleven were from the previous summer.

They also brought up Mr. Warburton's passing, mentioning that the coroner stated he had a past of abusing illegal narcotics.

The 43-year-old man tested positive for xylazine, heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine during a post-mortem examination.

According to a Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine investigation, he was "likely to have bought heroin and not known it was laced with xylazine and fentanyl".

King's College London senior author Dr. Caroline Copeland stated: "We now know that xylazine has infiltrated the UK's illicit drug market.

"This is concerning because it exposes a larger group of drug users—not just heroin users—to the dangers of the drug.

Additionally, the majority of heroin buyers do not plan to purchase xylazine, and this combination raises the danger of overdosing.

"Xylazine was designated a 'emerging threat' to the United States and this public health threat is a growing concern for the UK."

In order to stop a xylazine epidemic, Dr. Copeland encouraged the government to enact "simple" steps like testing strips and educating medical professionals about the warning signals of xylazine usage.

In order to determine the true prevalence of xylazine, she added, pathologists and coroners should ask for toxicology testing for the drug in pertinent instances.

Manchester-based MANDRAKE, England's first publicly-funded city centre testing and harm reduction facility, stated that it has not yet found the chemical in samples taken between 2022 and the beginning of 2024, despite the study's findings.

An official from the government stated: "We are committed to safeguarding individuals against the dangers associated with xylazine and other illegal synthetic drugs. We are aware of the issue."

"We'll take action without holding back to ensure everyone's safety."

"Following advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), we intend to make xylazine a Class C drug, meaning anyone supplying this substance will face up to 14 years in prison, a fine or both."