Tranq, a deadly mix of fentanyl and a drug for animals, was just named an 'emerging threat' by U.S. officials

(Credit: Bill Oxford—Getty Images)

The U.S. has named a veterinary tranquilizer as an “emerging threat” when it's mixed with the powerful opioid fentanyl, clearing the way for more efforts to stop the spread of xylazine.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy announced the designation Wednesday, the first time the office has used it since the category for fast-growing drug dangers was created in 2019.