160+ Attend Animal Sedative Overdose Training Program In Chesco

WEST CHESTER, PA – The rapid rise of overdoses from the animal tranquilizer, xylazine, also known on the streets as tranq, has hit Chester County.

Xylazine is a veterinary sedative used for large animals. In the last decade, the drug mixed with fentanyl and heroin, and has been increasing in sales on the illicit scene, according to officials.

The first xylazine death in Chester County occurred in January 2019.

In 2022, data showed that 32 percent or 35 of the 111 of all accidental drug-related overdose deaths in Chester County were related to xylazine.

Chester County Coroner Sophia Garcia-Jackson’s office took notice issue and began monitoring the xylazine drug overdose cases.

The office hosted Chester County’s first-ever educational training program, called “Xylazine’s Arrival, Trends & Effects of this Prevalent Drug” on Sept. 15 in the Chester County Goverment Services Center.

More than 160 law enforcement, first responders, and rehabilitation specialists attended the training in person or virtually.

Garcia-Jackson said the seminar was a success and she looks forward to providing more training programs to benefit the residents of Chester County and beyond.

“Collaboration is key for public outreach, providing awareness, treatment, and prevention,” the coroner said.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved xylazine for veterinary use only as there are no known uses for human consumption.

Xylazine causes the death of tissues and can lead to sepsis, amputation, and death. It's a central nervous system depressant that can cause drowsiness and amnesia, slow breathing, heart rate and blood pressure.

Speakers from the FBI, the Chester County Department of Drug & Alcohol Services, the Coroner’s Office, and others discussed how xylazine has infiltrated the illicit drug scene across the country – including in Chester County – and its devastating effects on the human body, and treatment options

Because xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone/Narcan cannot reverse the effects of this powerful sedative, which causes central nervous system depression. However, Narcan is encouraged to be used in drug overdoses – even when xylazine is suspected – to provide life-saving measures.

This year, the coroner’s office entered into an agreement with the County Drug & Alcohol Department to use grant money to expand toxicology testing to include testing for xylazine in all drug-related deaths.

The agreement will continue into 2024 to ensure statistical tracking can keep up with the trends.

In June, the Pennsylvania Department of Health took action to temporarily list xylazine as a controlled substance.