Newsom cracks down on flesh-eating ‘tranq’ drug involved in overdoses

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) wants to impose tougher penalties for dealers of the veterinary tranquilizer xylazine — a street drug known as “tranq” that’s been found in dozens of overdose deaths.

The rare move by Newsom to sponsor legislation is part of the state’s plan to tackle the opioid and overdose epidemic, which is driven by a surge in fentanyl-related deaths.

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“Tranq poses a unique and devastating challenge in our fight against the overdose epidemic,” Newsom said in a press release. “Although California is not yet seeing tranq at the same rates as other parts of the country, this legislation will help the state stay ahead and curb dealers and traffickers, while we work to provide treatment and resources for those struggling with addiction and substance abuse.”

Xylazine is widely known as a flesh-eating drug because it can cause severe tissue damage, such as necrosis and gangrene, which can lead to potentially fatal infections or require amputations. Since xylazine is not an opioid, it does not respond to lifesaving medicine used to reverse overdoses, such as naloxone (Narcan), according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Despite the severity of the drug, xylazine remains legal, making tracking its street presence difficult. The Newsom-backed legislation would classify xylazine as a controlled substance, while veterinary use would still be permitted.

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Preliminary data from the city of San Francisco showed 19 accidental overdose deaths involving xylazine from January through August. Fatal opioid overdoses in which xylazine was found increased by 276% recently — from 2.99% in January 2019 to 10.9% in June 2022, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Newsom signed a slew of drug prevention and resource bills this year as fentanyl deaths surge in California. He’s worked with cities experiencing hot spots, such as San Francisco, to deploy the National Guard to disrupt fentanyl trafficking and move in additional funds.