As of May 2024, 17% of fentanyl overdose deaths in Maine also contained xylazine, an increase of about 10% from last year.
PORTLAND, Maine — Maine health officials are sounding the alarm about xylazine, a non-opioid animal sedative that state officials say is contributing to a rise in overdose deaths.
According to the Maine Drug Data Hub, 17% of fentanyl overdose deaths in Maine also contain xylazine, a 10% increase from last year.
“This isn’t just a little thing, this is a big wake-up call,” said Rick Desjardins, director of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. “These people are being poisoned. There’s no question about it.”
The drug, also known as “tranq,” is a non-opioid sedative for animals and is not intended for human use. Desjardins said the substance is frequently found in Maine as an additive mixed with other illegal drugs such as heroin and fentanyl.
Maine has made great strides in distributing naloxone, or Narcan, the drug used to treat opioid overdoses, but Desjardins points out that xylazine is not an opioid and its effects cannot be countered by naloxone.
“We’re certainly aware of it, and we’re working with public safety officials who are seizing large amounts of narcotics coming into the state,” said Gordon Smith, director of the Maine Opioid Task Force.
The state recently invested $1 million in xylazine education and testing strips to prevent further harm from the drug.
Kelly Burton of Portland Public Health’s Harm Reduction Services team said having testing strips and supplies on hand is crucial because people are often unsure of what’s in the drugs they’re taking.
“The drug supply has become so dangerous over the years and most people don’t know what they’re taking,” Mr Barton said.
Public health experts say although xylazine is a concern, there are still signs that overdoses in Maine are declining.
Recent overdose data shows that from January through June of this year, the state saw a 12 percent decrease in total, confirmed and suspected fatal overdoses compared to the same period last year.
More stories from News Center Maine
Download the NEWS CENTER Maine mobile app for the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts.
