James urges Congress to combat xylazine tranquilizer spread

New York Attorney General Letitia James attends a news conference Dec. 15, 2025, in New York. Photo: Yuki Iwamura/AP

NATIONWIDE – NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL Letitia James on Tuesday co-led a bipartisan coalition of 40 other attorneys general in calling on Congress to pass the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, which would classify the animal tranquilizer xylazine as a federal controlled substance. James in a statement said this measure would protect communities, help law enforcement stop its spread, and reduce overdose deaths.

Widely known by its street name “tranq,” xylazine is a veterinary tranquilizer intended for large animals like horses, and is not approved for any human use. Because it’s not an opioid, it doesn’t respond to the overdose reversal drug naloxone, greatly increasing its lethality when mixed with opioids like fentanyl.

The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act would classify xylazine as a controlled substance, and would allow the Drug Enforcement Administration to track the manufacturing of the drug, prevent diversion and mandate public reporting. The coalition argues that a lack of information on xylazine’s development, distribution and related deaths makes it difficult for law enforcement to track and stop the spread of the drug.

Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the legislation with strong bipartisan support.

“Xylazine makes deadly opioids like fentanyl even deadlier, and it is rapidly spreading to every state in the country,” James said. “We need every tool at our disposal so we can investigate and stop the spread of this dangerous drug to protect our communities.”

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