Zombie Drug Shows Up in South Dakota
According to Dakota News Now South Dakota hadn't had any reports of Xylazine or the "Zombie" drug until several weeks ago. But it has now shown up in our state.
Xylazine is a tranquilizer approved by the FDA for use only on animals. It has extremely harmful effects on humans. It does not respond to Narcan reversal for overdoses. And, "It also has been known to cause the skin to rot, creating sores that never heal". Which is where the "zombie" nickname comes from.
This drug can be ingested in a number of ways after being mixed with the illicit drug Fentanyl. These open wounds can show up anywhere on the body, not just at the site where the drug was introduced to the body. In some cases, this has led to the amputation of an arm or leg.
Our state law enforcement and health officials are turning to cities like Philadelphia for suggestions on how they are handling the huge Xylazine problem they have been facing for years.
Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead and Attorney General Marty Jackley are both pushing for legislation that would classify powdered Xylazine as a controlled substance. It is the form of the drug most often used by drug dealers.
Jackley also advises talking to kids about the dangers of drugs earlier and often. He also said, "We’re out to try to find solutions and to try to find treatment"
Source: Dakota News Now and National Library of Medicine
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