Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department warning of potentially fatal drug

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department is asking everyone to learn more about the dangers of xylazine as its use increases across the country.

It’s teaming up with the Lincoln Police Department to get the word out on the animal tranquilizer.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, it’s being mixed with drugs like fentanyl, heroin and cocaine to amplify and prolong the user’s high.

David Humm, health promotion and outreach division manager with the health department, said Xylazine is not approved for people and can cause a fatal overdose when combined with other drugs.

“It’s a tranquilizer used in animals, so it’s not for human use,” he said.

Humm said people usually lose consciousness if they take too much.

With continued use over time, the drug can also lead to open wounds and ulcers on the skin, he said.

Over the last two years, Nebraska has only seen four cases of fatal overdoses involving Xylazine, but authorities say it’s important to be aware of the drug and its effects.

The health department says similar trends involving fentanyl and opioids started small but led to thousands of overdose deaths in the last 20 years.

But unlike fentanyl, Xylazine can’t be counteracted by naloxone, commonly known as Narcan.

Regardless, officials say it can’t hurt to use Narcan if someone is overdosing because you might not know what they took.

They say Xylazine can cause the following symptoms:

• Unresponsiveness and decreased consciousness
• Low blood pressure
• Slow heart rate
• Reduced or slow breathing

Ryan Carruthers, chief clinical officer with CenterPointe, said anyone with an addiction should not be afraid to ask for help.

“If someone is dealing with a family member, friend or loved one that is at risk of an overdose, then go ahead and reach out to our crisis response team,” he said. “We know that treatment does work, and it is available in the community.”

He said the first thing you should do if someone is overdosing is call 911, before administering Narcan or CPR if necessary.