Drug advisory issued throughout Interior Health

MERRITT – A drug advisory has been put in place throughout the entire Interior Health region.

Interior Health (IH) officials said Xylazine, or “Tranq”, is very prevalent in the drug supply in the eastern United States, regularly appears in Ontario, and has potentially found its way to the area.

“Xylazine is a veterinary drug that has not been approved for human use and can have severe side effects that can be delayed in their appearance,” said Interior Health.  “Xylazine is a sedative, analgesic, and muscle relaxant”

According to officials, Naloxone will not work on this drug but will work on any other opioids that may be present.

“Xylazine use is often associated with abscesses and other skin ulcerations that do not heal on their own, often becoming infected and complicated. Important to note that these skin lesions do not come from the injection sites; they can be found anywhere on the body.”

IH has released some safety when using this drug or any others.

• Get your drugs checked
• Avoid using different drugs at the same time or using drugs and alcohol together.
• Don’t use alone or ask someone to check on you.
• If you must use while alone, consider using the Lifeguard app
• When using your substance start with a small amount, and then go slow.
• Use at an Overdose Prevention or Supervised Consumption Site, if one is near you.
• Know how to respond to an overdose – call 911, give rescue breaths, and naloxone