(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Xylazine is a powerful non-opioid sedative, essentially it’s an animal tranquilizer.
Luis Agostini is with the Chicago Drug Enforcement Administration. He said seizures of xylazine and fetanyl mixtures are skyrocketing across the country with agents making seizures in 48 of the 50 states--including Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
"What we’re seeing is xylazine being mixed in with other illicit narcotics such as cocaine, heroin and meth, making the situation much deadlier."
That's because xylazine is a non-opioid, so Narcan does not reverse its effects.
"Looking back at 2017, there were no deaths recorded where xylazine was a contributing factor," said Agostini. "Fast forward at the end of '22, we recorded 162 deaths in Cook County that were attributed to xylazine."
Agostini said users who don't die, can still experience severe side effects--including rotting tissue, which may lead to amputation.
Related
Listen to our new podcast Courier Pigeon
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!