Whatcom County announces first overdose death related to tranquilizer Xylazine
Whatcom County officials on Friday, April 5, announced the county’s first death related to Xylazine, also called “tranq” or “tranq dope.”
“We are deeply saddened by the first known Xylazine-related overdose death of a Whatcom County resident, a local adult,” the county’s statement says. “Toxicology results showed multiple drugs were present, including fentanyl and methamphetamines, in addition to Xylazine. No one should die of an overdose and our hearts go out to the family and friends of this person.”
“For over a year we have suspected that Xylazine may be circulating in our community, and we first issued a warning about this drug in March 2023,” according to the statement. “The Medical Examiner’s Office has been testing all suspected overdose deaths for Xylazine since the summer of 2022. This is the first time that it has been detected in an overdose death in Whatcom County.”
Officials have not released the deceased person’s identity.
Xylazine is a drug used in veterinary medicine as a sedative with analgesic and muscle relaxant properties, according to a Drug Enforcement Agency evaluation. “It is used on many different animal species such as cattle, sheep, horses, dogs, cats, deer, rats, and elk to calm and facilitate November 2022 alpha-1 adrenergic, histaminergic or opiate receptor mechanisms. handling, perform diagnostic and surgical procedures, relieve pain, or act as a local anesthetic.”
Whatcom County overdose deaths rose by about 43% last year, with at least 130 in 2023. The Whatcom County EMS system responded to a record 151 suspected overdose calls in November, up from 63 in February 2021, according to the county’s Overdose Prevention dashboard.
The county’s statement also provided the following guidance:
What to know about Xylazine:
▪ Xylazine, also called tranq, is a powerful animal tranquilizer and is never safe for people.
▪ It is often mixed with fentanyl.
▪ It reduces brain activity and dangerously reduces a person’s breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
▪ It can cause severe skin wounds that are difficult to heal. These wounds can occur anywhere on the body, not just at injection sites.
▪ Xylazine is not an opioid, so naloxone spray (brand names are Kloxxado or Narcan) will not work to reverse it. Naloxone should still be given if an overdose is suspected because naloxone will reverse fentanyl’s effects.
If you think someone is having an overdose:
▪ Give naloxone if you have it.
▪ If the person is not breathing or is taking irregular breaths, provide rescue breaths if you can do so safely.
▪ Always call 911 if you suspect an overdose, especially since naloxone will not reverse the effects of Xylazine.
This story was originally published April 5, 2024 at 1:50 PM.