Editorial: Panel’s deliberate pace doesn’t match xylazine’s OD threat
The Massachusetts Special Commission on Xylazine recently convened for preliminary meetings aimed at tackling the alarming rise of xylazine, a potent animal tranquilizer, in the state’s illicit drug supply. Known colloquially as “tranq” or “tranq dope,” xylazine is a non-opioid sedative primarily used in veterinary medicine but has increasingly been found mixed with dangerous substances like fentanyl in illegal drugs. The commission’s mandate is to investigate the public health implications of xylazine’s presence and provide actionable recommendations to mitigate its risks. The urgency of their mission is underscored by a significant increase in xylazine-related overdose deaths; in 2023, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported that nearly 11% of opioid-related fatalities involved xylazine, a figure that alarmingly doubled to 22% in 2024.
The troubling trend of xylazine’s infiltration into the drug supply has been well-documented, with data from the non-profit Street Check Community Drug Checking program revealing that the presence of xylazine in drug samples rose from 9% in 2020 to a staggering 35% in 2024. This surge is particularly concerning as xylazine can exacerbate the effects of opioids, leading to slower brain function, reduced breathing rates, and potentially fatal overdoses. The drug’s resistance to traditional overdose-reversal medications like Narcan poses additional challenges for first responders and healthcare providers. As drug dealers increasingly mix various substances, including counterfeit pills laced with cocaine, fentanyl, and xylazine, the potential for overdose rises sharply, making it imperative for the commission to act swiftly and decisively.
As the commission continues its work, the implications of xylazine’s prevalence extend beyond immediate health concerns; they reflect a broader crisis in the nation’s drug landscape. Overdose deaths remain at historically high levels, with 80,391 fatalities reported in 2024 alone, making drug overdoses the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 44. While Massachusetts has made strides in addressing overdose fatalities, the numbers are still more than double what they were a decade ago. The commission’s upcoming report, now proposed to be submitted by March 2026, will play a crucial role in shaping state policies and interventions aimed at curbing the devastating impact of xylazine and similar substances in the illicit drug market. Given the rising prevalence of this dangerous sedative, there is an urgent need for comprehensive outreach and treatment strategies to protect public health and safety.
The Massachusetts Special Commission on Xylazine held preliminary meetings Monday and Tuesday in efforts to study the increasing presence of the dangerous animal sedative in the state’s illicit drug supply.
The select panel’s mandate involves investigating the proliferation of xylazine and providing recommendations to “address the public health and safety concerns posed by the proliferation of xylazine as an additive to illicit drugs.”
The use of xylazine in the illicit drug supply — often combined with fentanyl — presents serious risks, including increased overdose potential and severe skin infections/ulcers.
Xylazine, also known as “tranq” or “tranq dope,” is a non-opioid sedative or tranquilizer, according to the CDC. The mixing of the drug and fentanyl was declared an emerging threat by the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy in 2023.
The tranquilizer, used in veterinary medicine but not approved for use in humans, has been increasingly found in illegal drugs in the U.S. in recent years, alarmingly linked to overdose deaths, the CDC states. The drug, which can “slow down the brain and breathing, make the heart beat slower, and lower blood pressure in people, is especially dangerous when combined with opioids like fentanyl.”
In 2020, xylazine was found in 9% of drug samples in Massachusetts tested by the non-profit Street Check Community Drug Checking program.
By 2024, the number rose to 35% of the drug samples tested in Massachusetts. So far in 2025, the nonprofit has found the drug in 21% of samples.
In 2023, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health found xylazine present in just under 11% of opioid-related overdose deaths of state residents. In 2024, the number doubled to 22%, the data show.
The Massachusetts law originally called for the Special Commission on Xylazine to submit a report by June 30, but a proposal seeks to delay the date to March 2026.
The panel, which convened for its initial public meeting in June, is conducting additional hearings to gather testimony. A working group focusing on Outreach and Treatment is also active.
The illicit drug supply changes constantly, with new and addictive substances being mixed into street drugs, with xylazine a prime example.
Over the past two years, for instance, New England has seen a troubling trend in which dealers sell drugs mixed with a variety of substances. A counterfeit Xanax pill can be laced with cocaine, fentanyl, and xylazine, which has proven to be resistant to overdose-reversal medications.
And despite the recent progress, drug fatalities remain historically high. Nationwide, 80,391 people died of drug overdoses in 2024, and overdoses remain the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 to 44, according to the CDC.
In Massachusetts, the fatalities last year were still more than double what they were in 2012.
We’d urge the panel to quicken its pace, considering xylazine’s rising usage and immunity to overdose antidotes.
The precipitous decline in overdose deaths in 2024 occurred partly due to the increased availability of the OD preemptive presence of Narcan, when fentanyl, not xylazine, was the primary contributing factor.
Now, those drugs may share equal culpability.
Sentinel and Enterprise
Editorial cartoon by Al Goodwyn (Creators Syndicate)
