“Zombie Drug” hits the streets of northern New Mexico, Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office preparing for southern NM arrival
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KIVA) -- "It's already here in the state."
As the fentanyl crisis continues to plague the borderland and the rest of the United States, the addition of a second drug that’s being mixed in is making the use even more dangerous.
'Tranq', also known as the 'zombie drug', is the mixture of fentanyl and xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer not approved for human use, and it's already making in appearance in the northern part of the state.
It's referred to as the 'zombie drug' due to skin legions and rotting that users may experience from injecting the drug mixture.
The Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office says it's only a matter of time until 'Tranq' makes its first appearance in the Mesilla Valley.
Our sister station KOAT in Albuquerque reported Colfax County in northern New Mexico saw three overdoses in just 48 hours last week of what they suspect is the drug mixture.
What makes the drug combination so dangerous?
Narcan, the critical opiate-overdose reversing nasal spray, doesn’t work on these overdoses due to the presence of xylazine.
A five-page report from the DEA last October says xyalzine-related overdoses appear similar to opioid ones, making it harder to identify when someone is suffering from its adverse affects.
Even more alarming, the report suggests the drug may even render Narcan less effective.
While the sheriff’s office says they have no idea how they’re going to combat the mixture’s arrival, it is already preparing its deputies.
"Fentanyl itself is already so dangerous, the amount that takes to deliver a deadly dose is so small, so our deputies already handle drugs with extreme care," said Sheriff Kim Stewart Monday.
She also says the office has no plans to stop using Narcan.
"We will not make a bedside judgement," said Stewart.
The office adds first quarter 2023 fentanyl seizures in the county have already nearly exceeded the entirety of seizures in 2022.
