Amid the dramatic rise in overdose deaths caused by “tranq dope,” or fentanyl laced with animal tranquilizer xylazine, the White House has announced a national response plan to address the crisis.
The plan aims to ensure a 15 percent reduction in xylazine-positive overdose deaths in at least three of four U.S. Census regions by 2025.
“Even as we work to save lives from illicit fentanyl, this administration is hyper-vigilant in reacting to changes in the drug supply, like xylazine,” said Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, on a July 10 call with reporters.
Dr. Gupta designated fentanyl adulterated with xylazine as an “emerging threat” to the United States on April 12. The move marked the first time an administration had issued such a designation to a substance under the SUPPORT Act of 2018….