It's known as the 'zombie drug,' and the Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy is out with a warning, saying it's been detected in our area.
Officials said xylazine – also called 'tranq' – is an animal tranquilizer used in vet medicine.
And it's been popping up in opioid toxicity deaths in Ontario at an increasing rate.
The warning states contaminants like xylazine and benzodiazepines don't respond to naloxone, and injecting a drug containing xylazine can lead to severe skin lesions, which in turn can lead to the need for amputation and can lead to death if not treated.
"Seek emergency medical care immediately if lesions appear," the drug strategy said in its warning.
It added to take precautions, such as carrying naloxone, don't use alone, to start low and go slow.
It's also advising users to use at the Consumption and Treatment Services site at the Guelph Community Health Centre, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.
Health Warning. Carry naloxone. Don't use alone. Start low go slow. Visit the consumption & treatment services site at @guelphchc#healthwarning #publichealth #zombiedrug pic.twitter.com/GJ9aJiwXM6
— Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy (@WGDrugStrategy) March 21, 2023
