Denver is facing a growing public health crisis as xylazine, a powerful veterinary tranquilizer commonly called “tranq” or the “zombie drug,” increasingly appears in the city’s illicit drug supply. When mixed with fentanyl to create “tranq dope,” this dangerous combination is contributing to overdose deaths and severe health complications. While Denver hasn’t reached the crisis levels seen in the Northeast, awareness and early intervention are critical to protecting our community from this emerging threat.
Understanding Xylazine: The Basics
What Is Xylazine?
Xylazine is a veterinary tranquilizer, sedative, and pain reliever that’s FDA-approved only for animal use and has never been approved for humans. It was originally developed to sedate large animals like horses during veterinary procedures.
Is xylazine an opioid?
No, xylazine is not an opioid. It’s a non-opioid sedative that acts on different brain receptors than opioids. This distinction is crucial because it means standard overdose reversal medications work differently with this substance.
Why Is Xylazine Called “Tranq” or “Zombie Drug”?
The street name “tranq” comes from its tranquilizing effects, while “zombie drug” refers to the extreme sleepiness and zombie-like state it causes, where users appear unaware of their surroundings. The substance creates heavy sedation that extends the high from fentanyl, giving it what experts call “legs”.
The Xylazine Situation in Denver
Current Status in Denver’s Drug Supply
Denver police detected 18 cases of xylazine in 2022 through a fentanyl-monitoring project, though authorities believe the actual numbers are likely higher. Colorado has recorded four drug overdose deaths involving xylazine since early 2022, all in the Denver Metro area, and in all cases it was combined with other drugs including fentanyl or methamphetamine.
While these numbers are lower than those in heavily affected Northeast regions, the pattern is concerning. The DEA reports that xylazine’s spread across the United States appears to follow the same path as fentanyl, beginning in the Northeast before moving South and working westward.
How Xylazine Enters the Drug Supply
| What You Should Know | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| Detection | In 2022, approximately 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of counterfeit fentanyl pills seized by the DEA contained xylazine |
| User Awareness | Most people don’t know xylazine is in the drugs they’re using, as dealers typically don’t disclose its presence |
| Common Mixtures | Xylazine may be mixed with heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and other narcotics |
| Availability | Xylazine is not currently a controlled substance under U.S. law, making it more readily available for drug traffickers compared to other substances |
Health Effects and Dangers
Immediate Physical Effects
What does xylazine do to the body?
Xylazine causes drowsiness, memory loss, dangerously slow breathing, and critically low heart rate and blood pressure. Effects include blackouts and severe sedation that can last for hours.
The Signature Risk: Severe Skin Wounds
One of xylazine’s most alarming characteristics is its impact on skin and tissue:
- Xylazine causes wounds that appear on the body, often away from injection sites, that have extreme difficulty healing or won’t heal at all
- These severe skin wounds can become so serious they lead to amputations
- Wounds can develop regardless of how the drug is used—smoking, snorting, or injecting
- When treated early, wounds can be managed with basic wound care techniques, but if left untreated they can lead to amputation or become life-threatening
Important: Seek immediate medical attention if wounds show extreme pain, fever, chills, black discoloration, foul odor, or bone/tissue damage.
Overdose Risks
Can xylazine cause overdose deaths?
Yes. Xylazine leads to an increased risk of fatal overdose, especially when combined with opioids or alcohol. When combined with fentanyl or synthetic opioids, xylazine significantly increases the potential for fatal overdoses.
The danger is compounded because:
- Xylazine is not an opioid and doesn’t respond to naloxone (Narcan), the standard overdose-reversal drug
- Extreme sedation from xylazine can cause people to stop breathing
- It’s difficult to distinguish xylazine overdose symptoms from opioid overdoses
Recognizing and Responding to Xylazine Overdoses
Signs of a Xylazine-Involved Overdose
Watch for these warning signs:
- Unresponsiveness or extreme sedation
- Slow or stopped breathing
- Slow heart rate
- Blue or grayish skin tone
- Loss of consciousness for extended periods
Critical Response Steps
Should you still give naloxone if xylazine is involved?
Absolutely yes. Although xylazine is not an opioid, it’s critical to administer naloxone to anyone showing overdose signs because the overdose may involve a mixture of fentanyl or another opioid with xylazine.
How to respond to a suspected overdose:
- Get their attention — Rub the person’s chest firmly and check for breathing and pulse
- Administer naloxone immediately — Even though naloxone won’t reverse xylazine effects, it will reverse any opioids present
- Provide rescue breaths — This is especially important for xylazine since it causes breathing to slow dramatically
- Call 911 — Stay with the person until help arrives
- Place in recovery position — Roll them on their side if breathing
Colorado has a Good Samaritan Law protecting people who call 911 and remain present—you won’t be charged with drug possession in amounts for personal consumption.
Withdrawal and Long-Term Effects
Can you become dependent on xylazine?
Does xylazine cause withdrawal?
Yes. People who use xylazine heavily and frequently are at risk of withdrawal, often marked by irritability, anxiety, and feelings of unease. Withdrawal may also cause rapid heart rate and high blood pressure, though these symptoms aren’t always present.
Xylazine withdrawal differs significantly from opioid withdrawal and currently has fewer treatment options available, making professional medical support especially important.
Harm Reduction Strategies
Protecting Yourself and Others
If you or someone you know uses substances, these strategies can reduce risk:
For Drug Users:
- Never use alone — Have someone check in on you, or use the “Never Use Alone” 24-hour hotline at 800-484-3731
- Start with a small test dose — You can always use more, but you can’t take it back
- Carry naloxone — Naloxone is available at local pharmacies without a prescription and is covered by most insurance plans
- Use xylazine test strips — These are becoming available at harm reduction organizations
- Care for wounds immediately — Don’t wait to seek medical attention
- Be aware of your surroundings — Heavy sedation makes you vulnerable
For Community Members:
- Learn to recognize overdose signs
- Carry naloxone and know how to use it
- Understand the Good Samaritan Law protections
- Share accurate information without stigma
Why Is Xylazine Added to Fentanyl?
What’s the reason dealers mix xylazine with other drugs?
Fentanyl creates a powerful but very short high, so xylazine is added to extend the effects and make the high last longer. Like fentanyl, xylazine is cheap, making it attractive for cutting drugs and increasing profit margins.
Testing and Detection Challenges
The Hidden Threat
Xylazine is not typically included in routine toxicology tests, so it may be under-detected or under-accounted for in overdose cases. This creates several problems:
- Actual prevalence may be higher than reported
- Healthcare providers may not recognize xylazine involvement
- Treatment plans may not address xylazine-specific complications
- Public health surveillance is incomplete
Policy and Community Response
Government Action
The CDC reports that deadly opioid deaths involving xylazine rose by 276% between 2019 and 2022 nationwide. In response:
- The White House designated fentanyl mixed with xylazine as an emerging threat
- Congress passed the TRANQ Research Act requiring more federal research
- Colorado representatives are actively working on preparedness measures
- The FDA restricted unlawful imports of xylazine in 2023
Local Denver Efforts
Denver health officials and law enforcement are:
- Monitoring the drug supply through testing programs
- Educating the public about xylazine risks
- Expanding naloxone distribution
- Working with harm reduction organizations
- Preparing healthcare providers for xylazine-related cases
People Also Ask: Quick Answers
Is xylazine worse than fentanyl?
They’re dangerous in different ways. While fentanyl causes more immediate overdose deaths, xylazine adds complications like severe wounds, extended sedation, and resistance to naloxone that make mixed overdoses harder to treat.
How long does xylazine stay in your system?
Xylazine has a rapid onset within minutes and effects can last 8 hours or longer depending on dose and method of use. However, it’s eliminated from the body relatively quickly, making detection challenging.
Can hospitals test for xylazine?
Most routine drug tests don’t include xylazine. Specialized testing techniques are required, which many facilities don’t perform regularly.
Where is xylazine most common?
The Northeast United States, particularly Philadelphia, has the highest concentrations. However, it’s spreading westward and has been detected in 48 of 50 states.
Looking Ahead: Preparing for the Future
Federal legislation aims to prepare for whatever comes after xylazine, helping authorities stay ahead of the curve instead of constantly responding to new threats. The illicit drug market constantly evolves, making education and preparedness essential.
Key prevention focus areas:
- Expanding drug checking programs
- Increasing wound care access
- Training first responders and healthcare providers
- Reducing stigma around substance use
- Supporting evidence-based treatment programs
Finding Help: Recovery Is Possible
The emergence of xylazine in Denver’s drug supply makes professional treatment more important than ever. Substances are becoming increasingly unpredictable and dangerous, but recovery is always possible with the right support.
True North Recovery Services offers compassionate outpatient addiction treatment and mental health support in Denver. We understand that substance use disorder, including opioid and alcohol addiction, requires comprehensive, personalized care. Our holistic approach combines evidence-based treatments with compassionate support to help you find your path to recovery and sober living.
Located in the Denver Metro Area, we accept most major insurances and provide:
- Specialized opioid and alcohol addiction treatment
- Mental health services
- Recovery support programs
- Intensive outpatient treatment options
If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use, don’t wait. Call True North Recovery Services at (720) 669-6793 or visit us at 2696 S Colorado Blvd, Suite 445, Denver, CO 80222. Recovery starts with a single step – let us walk alongside you on your journey.