The UK illicit drug market is being affected by the penetration of a powerful tranquilliser, xylazine, which has been found in drug seizures and toxicology labs. Xylazine is known to cause dangerously low breathing and heart rates, as well as open wounds and infection when injected, and is being mixed with heroin and fentanyl. This rise in the usage of xylazine is contributing to the increase in drug deaths in the UK, leading to calls for it to be classified as a class C drug.
Key Takeaways
- A powerful tranquilliser, xylazine, has infiltrated the UK's illicit drug market, posing a significant risk to public health.
- Xylazine, primarily utilized to sedate animals, is being mixed with heroin and synthetic opioids, leading to grave health consequences including low breathing and heart rates, open wounds, and potential limb amputation.
- The synthetic substance has been identified in various drug forms such as cannabis-based vapes, counterfeit prescription tablets, and heroin.
- The rise in drug-related deaths in the UK and record seizures of illicit drugs by European ports have prompted increased concern about the impact of xylazine on public health.
- Opium production decline in Afghanistan has led to an increase in the cutting of xylazine with heroin, and synthetic drugs like xylazine and fentanyl are challenging to interdict due to their concentrated form and the ease of dilution for use.
News Content
The UK illicit drug market is facing a new threat as a powerful tranquilliser, xylazine, has made its way into the illegal drug trade, according to new research. The synthetic drug, often mixed with heroin and fentanyl, has been discovered in toxicology labs and drug seizures, with lethal consequences. The study's findings come amidst a surge in drug-related deaths and record seizures of illegal drugs in the UK and Europe. Authorities are planning to classify xylazine as a class C drug, carrying severe penalties for those supplying it.
The presence of xylazine in the UK illicit drug market has raised concerns, with experts warning that it poses a significant risk to a wider population of drug users. The drug, which is typically used to sedate animals, has been detected in cannabis-based vapes and counterfeit prescription tablets, posing serious health risks including dangerously low breathing and heart rates, open wounds, and infections. The surge in drug-related deaths and record drug seizures has prompted authorities to take action, with plans to classify xylazine as a class C drug with severe penalties for suppliers.
The increase in the availability of synthetic drugs like xylazine and fentanyl presents a significant challenge for authorities, as they can be easily smuggled and diluted for use. This difficulty in detection and interception has led to a rise in drug-related deaths, with drug gangs cutting fentanyl with xylazine to prolong the drug's high and mimic the effects of heroin. The significant drop in opium production in Afghanistan has also contributed to the increase in lower quality heroin cut with synthetic opioids, further exacerbating the issue.
Analysis
The illicit drug market in the UK faces a new threat with the emergence of xylazine, a potent tranquilliser, mixed with heroin and fentanyl. This poses short-term consequences of lethal drug combinations, prompting authorities to classify xylazine as a class C drug. In the long term, it poses significant risks to the wider drug-using population due to its presence in various forms, leading to severe health consequences. Moreover, the challenge for authorities is compounded by the ease of smuggling and dilution of synthetic drugs. The drop in opium production in Afghanistan has indirectly contributed to the issue by leading to lower quality heroin cut with synthetic opioids.
Do You Know?
-
Xylazine in Illicit Drug Market: A powerful tranquilliser known as xylazine has entered the illegal drug trade in the UK, often being mixed with heroin and fentanyl, leading to lethal consequences.
-
Classification of Xylazine as a Class C Drug: Authorities are planning to classify xylazine as a class C drug, which would come with severe penalties for those involved in its supply.
-
Challenges with Synthetic Drugs and Opium Production: There has been a surge in the availability of synthetic drugs like xylazine and fentanyl, which poses a significant challenge for authorities due to their ease of smuggling and dilution for use. Additionally, the significant drop in opium production in Afghanistan has contributed to the increase in lower quality heroin cut with synthetic opioids, exacerbating the issue.