New Threat of Drugs in Yukon

Image Name: Yukon Drugs Threat

Image Credit: The Albertan

The Yukon is struggling with an increasingly acute drug problem, and one of the lead actors in this saga is a veterinary tranquilizer described on the street by its users as “tranq.” Originally designed for use in animals, this medication-which is officially known as xylazine-has entered the illicit drug scene, where it has catapulted overdose deaths to new heights. Its dangerous synergy with fentanyl kills often.

We break down here at this blog exactly what xylazine is, why it’s so dangerous, and what is being done about the problem in Yukon.

What is ‘Tranq’?
Xylazine, or “tranq,” is an animal sedative that veterinarians use with bigger animals like horses. It was never developed to be used in humans, but it has been showing up mixed with other drugs on the streets, often not known to the users. The concern is that xylazine doesn’t respond to naloxone, the antidote for many opioid overdoses. This makes it much more dangerous when used recreationally, especially when it’s mixed with opioids like fentanyl.

Why Xylazine is So Lethal
What is peculiar about xylazine, what places it in this class is its impact on the body. It creates deep sedation and blood pressure levels. It even stops an individual from breathing. Since it does not form part of opioids, naloxone does not work against xylazine, which leaves overdose survivors plenty fewer treatment options. This has resulted in a higher rate of overdose deaths, especially where fentanyl is already a huge risk factor; Yukon being one of such places.

The Rise of Xylazine in Yukon’s Street Drug Scene
Xylazine has worked its way into the street drug supply in Yukon, particularly mixed primarily with fentanyl. The lethal mixture has become increasingly widespread and fueled a spate of overdose deaths in the area. Many consumers of drugs are unaware even if xylazine is part of their drug supply, thus making it a silent killer.

This is not the first time the opioid crisis has been hard-hitting in Yukon, but the introduction of xylazine has made it worse. With this new mix of drugs now reported to the general public, health officials are sounding an alarm, hoping this will help propagate awareness among the public to prevent further deaths.

Deadly Combination
Fentanyl is extremely potent even on its own. A minuscule dose can cause an overdose. While fentanyl mixed with xylazine does make the sedatives more powerful so that users don’t wake up easily, it is leading to respiratory failure, where the body basically stops breathing. The leading reason that overdoses with xylazine are fatal most of the time is because of this.

But many people who overdose on fentanyl will survive with naloxone, but a combination of those effects is lost when there’s xylazine.

Image Name: New Drug Threat in Yukon

Image Credit: Yukon News

Community Response in Yukon
Efforts by healthcare providers and local authorities in Yukon are rising to counteract this growing crisis. Harm-reduction programs have become more popular, providing safe places for drug users and distributing naloxone kits. But naloxone does not activate xylazine; therefore, these types of programs need to change quickly.

More education and awareness campaigns are also being taken to scale. People need to be made aware that their drug may contain xylazine, and they need to understand the added risks associated with it. Some supervised consumption sites exist and increasingly will be needed to address the currently surging overdose rates.

Why Harm Reduction Matters
The harm reduction strategies like supervised consumption sites reduce deaths because there is medical supervision for the drug users. The location offers a safe place for users to consume drugs knowing that someone is within reach to get helped if they overdose. Although the initiatives are ineffective to fully eradicate the problem, they have been shown to save a lot of lives.

Access to clean drug supplies and testing kits is part of the arm reduction. This at least ensures that a user will know what he is taking and not inject xylazine or other poisonous substance.

Though the drug crisis is yet to end, such policies, and steps are necessary to reduce the eventual harm caused by this crisis.

What’s Next
This case is but one piece of the bigger puzzle of the drug crisis in Yukon. It indicates that the now-recognized requirement for more all-rounded solutions to prevent drug use and care for those who are already suffering with addiction calls for greater funding for mental health services, treatment of addiction, and harm reduction initiatives.

Another effort will be made in controlling the availability of xylazine in street drugs, but it would most likely take some years before that could have a strong effect. In the meantime, the point now is to keep people from further harm, to raise awareness over this lifesaving risk, and to stand ready in support as needed.

Conclusion
Xylazine or “tranq” brings a deadly new wrinkle to the Yukon’s drug scene. With overdose deaths mounting, something needs to be done to turn this crisis around. Better harm reduction, more education, and more access to addiction services are what will make a difference. But time is running out. The quicker the better: lives will be saved.