The unregulated street drug supply in Ontario is constantly changing, and it has become more dangerous than ever. A new and alarming substance is appearing more frequently: xylazine. You may have heard it called “Tranq” or “zombie drug” in the news.
TL;DR:
Xylazine, a powerful animal tranquillizer also known as “Tranq,” is being increasingly found in Ontario’s unregulated street drug supply, often mixed with fentanyl.
Xylazine is not an opioid, which means naloxone (Narcan) does not work to reverse its effects, though you should still use it to reverse the effects of any opioids it’s mixed with.
It causes severe sedation and can lead to serious, hard-to-heal skin wounds, even without injecting at the site of the wound.
The presence of xylazine makes the street supply even more dangerous and unpredictable, making regulated medical treatments like methadone, Suboxone, or a Safe Opioid Supply more life-saving than ever.
Xylazine on the Street
According to the Government of Canada, xylazine is being found in a growing number of expected opioid samples, creating new and serious risks for anyone who uses street drugs. Understanding what xylazine is and the dangers it poses is critical to staying alive. At Arrow Medical, our priority is your safety, and that starts with giving you clear, honest information.
What is Xylazine (“Tranq”)?
Xylazine is a non-opioid sedative, pain reliever, and muscle relaxant that is approved in Canada only for veterinary use. It is a powerful tranquillizer for large animals like horses and cattle, but it is not safe for humans.
It is being added to other drugs, most commonly fentanyl, to prolong or enhance the effects. Because it’s a cheap bulking agent, people who use drugs often don’t even know it’s in what they are buying. This unpredictability is what makes the current drug supply so deadly.
Xylazine (“Tranq”): A non-opioid animal tranquillizer increasingly found in the unregulated drug supply. It causes heavy sedation and severe skin wounds and does not respond to naloxone.
What Are the Dangers of Xylazine?
The risks associated with xylazine are severe and different from those of opioids alone.
Naloxone Does Not Work on Xylazine: This is the most critical fact to understand. Naloxone (Narcan) reverses opioid overdoses. Because xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone will not reverse its effects. However, since xylazine is almost always mixed with fentanyl, you should always administer naloxone in a suspected overdose to reverse the opioid’s effects. The person may still not wake up due to the xylazine, which is why calling 911 is essential.
Severe Sedation and “Blackouts”: Xylazine causes profound sedation, leading to long periods of unconsciousness or “blacking out.” This can leave a person vulnerable to assault, robbery, or injury.
Severe Skin Wounds: Xylazine restricts blood flow, which can cause severe, rotting skin and soft tissue wounds (necrotic ulcers). These wounds are incredibly painful, hard to heal, and can lead to amputation. Frighteningly, these wounds can appear anywhere on the body, not just at injection sites.
Difficult Withdrawal: Withdrawal from xylazine is different and can be more complex than opioid withdrawal, often involving severe anxiety and agitation. Managing this withdrawal requires medical supervision.
The street supply is a gamble you can’t afford to take. With xylazine in the mix, you never know what you’re getting, and the consequences can be devastating.
How to Respond to a Suspected Xylazine Overdose
If you think someone is overdosing and xylazine might be involved, follow these steps:
Shake and Shout: Try to rouse the person.
Call 911 Immediately: This is the most important step. Tell the dispatcher you suspect an overdose and the person is not breathing. Mention that xylazine may be involved.
Administer Naloxone: Give naloxone. It will work on the opioids in their system. The person might not wake up completely because of the xylazine, but restoring breathing from the opioid is vital.
Perform Rescue Breathing/Chest Compressions: Oxygen is crucial. The 911 dispatcher can guide you.
Stay with Them: The person needs immediate medical attention at a hospital. Don’t assume they are okay if they start breathing again. We have a full guide on creating a family safety plan for overdose.
Why Medical Treatment is the Safest Choice
With xylazine contaminating the drug supply, the only way to be sure about what you are putting in your body is to get it from a doctor. Medically prescribed treatments provide a safe, regulated alternative that eliminates the risk of unknown contaminants.
At Arrow Medical, we provide life-saving options that protect you from the dangers of the street supply:
Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT): Methadone, Kadian, and Suboxone provide a stable, known dose of medication that eliminates withdrawal and cravings, so you don’t have to turn to the unpredictable street supply.
Safe Opioid Supply Programs For those at highest risk, our Dilaudid programs provide a prescription for a pharmaceutical-grade opioid, completely separating you from the dangers of fentanyl and xylazine.
Choosing treatment at a clinic like ours in Barrie, Toronto, or our other locations is the single most important step you can take to protect yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I tell if xylazine is in my drugs? You can’t. There is no way to see, smell, or taste it. This is why the street supply is so dangerous. The only way to be safe is to not use it. There are drug checking services, but these are unfortunately not readily accessible.
Q: Can I get xylazine wounds even if I don’t inject? Yes. While the wounds are more common with injection, severe skin ulcers have been reported in people who smoke or snort drugs containing xylazine. This is because xylazine restricts blood flow throughout the body.
Q: Is there treatment for xylazine addiction? Yes. While there is no specific “agonist therapy” for xylazine itself, our medical teams can help manage the complex withdrawal symptoms. The most important treatment is to get you onto a safe, regulated medication like methadone or Suboxone to treat the underlying opioid use disorder and remove the need to use contaminated street drugs.
Your life is not a gamble. The street supply is more dangerous than it has ever been. Protect yourself by choosing a safe, medical alternative. Walk into any Arrow Medical clinic today to get started on a safer path.
