The synthetic drug known as ‘tranq dope’ was first picked up by drug authorities in Puerto Rico in the early 2000s. Xylazine, a horse tranquilliser, gives you a dangerously low heart rate. But it has a more nightmarish side effect too. If injected into the bloodstream it can ulcerate, meaning skin and muscle start rotting away. This leads to deep flesh wounds which then sometimes lead to limb amputations. Last year this “flesh-eating zombie drug” was designated an “emerging threat” to the US. It has been detected in every state in America.
And now it’s here in Britain. Our first fatality was last year but researchers have now discovered 10 more. There could be more still — until recently we weren’t keeping track of where the drug went. Neither, perhaps, were its users. Xylazine is very cheap, meaning it is cut with and substituted for other drugs, so many won’t know they are taking it. The first person to die of it was thought not to be a regular user as his body was found to be physically fit at his post-mortem. He had taken a cocktail of other drugs that contained the substance. Researchers have found the drug cut with opioids such as heroin or fentanyl, but have also detected it in cocaine, THC vapes and off-brand diazepam tablets bought online. It is everywhere.
