U.S. Senator Schumer outlines approach to combat against ‘Tranq’ as overdose cases rise
WATERTOWN- Authorities are keeping an eye on an alarming trend in overdoses connected to a substance with a reputation for being a flesh rotting ‘zombie drug.’
Known to dealers as ‘tranq,’ Xylazine is responsible for fueling the latest surge in overdoses throughout Central and Northern New York. “Upstate New York is seeing a dramatic rise in Xylazine, a horrific skin rotting zombie drug, plaguing our streets, overwhelming law enforcement and causing serious concern because it is Narcan resistant, putting lives at greater risk," U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) said.
He recently held a press conference with local officials in Jefferson County.
"The feds need to accelerate their efforts to crack down on this drug illegally being shipped from overseas and unlawfully making its way onto the streets of Watertown, Jefferson County and communities across New York,” the Senator iterated.
“In far too many communities, including the North Country, the pandemic has made opioid addiction and its health impacts worse, and Xylazine could make this growing problem even more deadly which is why we need the feds to step up now. We need an all-of-the-above approach: cutting off the flow of drugs, aid to our law enforcement, more interdiction, prevention, treatment and recovery for those suffering with addiction.”
“The City of Watertown is grateful to Senator Schumer for coming to our community to raise awareness about the dangers of Xylazine and call for additional resources to keep our residents safe,” said City of Watertown Mayor Jeffery M. Smith.
“The regional surge in Xylazine is on the doorstep of our community. Collaboration between federal and local governments, in partnership with our law enforcement and healthcare specialists, gives us the best chance to minimize this looming threat.”
Schumer explained that although Xylazine is a sedative most commonly used as an animal tranquilizer by veterinarians, the deadly drug is now finding its way onto Upstate streets through illicit sources.
He said that these dangerous drug deals are contaminating opioids like fentanyl, heroine, and cocaine with Xylazine, which has the ability to compound the effects of opioids and has led to countless overdoses and deaths in Upstate NY.
Standing with local law enforcement and health leaders, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer revealed his three-pronged plan to combat the horrific substance:
First, Schumer said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) needs to accelerate its operations to track down illicit sources of Xylazine that are plaguing Northeast, and Upstate New York in particular, to cut off supply that is flooding New York streets.
Second, the senator detailed his new push to supercharge the federal COPS Hiring Program with nearly $537 million in new funds to help stop drug trafficking in its tracks.
Third, Schumer said we need an all of the above approach to treat the overdose crisis, and said he is calling for new boosts to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) appropriations, including grants that can be used to fund testing infrastructure for Xylazine.
Image via the office of U.S. Senator Charles Schumer.
