TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning Floridians about the flesh-eating “zombie drug,” xylazine, also known as “tranq.” Xylazine is a Schedule I controlled substance in Florida – it is a crime to possess or sell the drug in the state.
“Floridians need to be aware that xylazine is making one of the deadliest drugs in history, fentanyl, even deadlier,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody. “Xylazine is a sedative, and therefore resistant to standard opioid reversal treatments such as Narcan.”
This week, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a warning about the sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine. People who inject drug mixtures containing xylazine may develop severe flesh-eating wounds, including necrosis – the rotting of human tissue – that may lead to amputation.
According to the DEA, xylazine and fentanyl mixtures have been seized in 48 states, including Florida. DEA lab system reports show that, in 2022, approximately 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills seized contained xylazine.
“There has never been a more dangerous time to take a chance on any illicit substance, and this drug is only making the problem worse. I’m urging everyone to never use illicit drugs, just one pill or one use can kill,” Moody added.
People who use xylazine may develop severe wounds, including necrosis—the rotting of human tissue that may lead to amputation. According to a WTSP news report, at least 236 Floridians died last year with xylazine in their system.
In 2022, Attorney General Moody helped launch ATLAS, a free treatment-locater tool. Floridians struggling with addiction can use ATLAS to find local treatment services.
