A State House commission is working on ending Xylazine contamination in drug supply in Massachusetts.
Xylazine, a white powder veterinary drug, was first detected in the Bay State illegal drug supply 5 years ago.
Effects of the contamination include serious skin wounds, severe withdrawal symptoms, and increased overdose.
Research on the drug is ongoing, and new studies have been released even in the time since the first commission meeting in June.
One new study looked at Xylazine presence in Philadelphia, and found a strong correlation between use of the drug and limb amputations due to wounds from drug use.
“This really tracks with the absolute onslaught of xylazine in the community…and the people of Philadelphia really paid the price of that with their limbs,” said epidemiologist Traci Green.
The commission is looking at a multi-pronged approach to dealing with Xylazine, including harm reduction like increased access to drug testing and regulating the production of the drug to limit how much leaves veterinary spaces.
One approach the commission is considering is finding a way to inform drug suppliers about ways to minimize contamination in their supplies and inform users about what to do in cases of suspected overdose.
Xylazine has not been found to react to Narcan, but experts still recommend administering Narcan in instances of suspected overdose, as xylazine is almost always ingested in conjunction with over drugs.