Street drug not yet seen in Sparta but may soon make an appearance says sheriff

According to a news release out of Nashville, Xylazine, a veterinary medicine used to sedate livestock, has been making an appearance in both fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Since Nov. 1, 2023, toxicology reports on nine drug overdose deaths in the Nashville area, six of which occurred in the Hermitage/Antioch area, have shown a presence of Xylazine. Most of those reports also showed a larger quantity of fentanyl as well. 

“Although we have not had any confirmed cases involving xylazine, it is on our radar,” Sparta Chief of Police Nick Dunn said. “We are diligently working to reduce the amount of illicit drugs that are coming into our community.”

Last month, 120,000 pills were intercepted as they arrived in Nashville from California. Testing showed they tested positive for a combination of acetaminophen, a common binder material for counterfeit pills, fentanyl, and Xylazine. It is believed that the Xylazine is being combined with the fentanyl during the manufacturing process, which is taking place outside of the United States.

White County Sheriff Steve Page echoed Dunn’s statement, saying his deputies have not yet had any experience with victims overdosing on Xylazine.

“But it’s coming,” the sheriff warned. “The dealers here go to Nashville and Lebanon to get drugs and then bring them back here. If it’s there, it will be here soon.”

Thomas Farmer, Tennessee Special Agent in Charge and Drug Task Force state director, recently explained the effects and the danger behind the use of the veterinarian drug that is not approved for human consumption.

“Xylazine acts as a respiratory depressant and can slow down the metabolism. In slowing down the metabolism, it intensifies the high. It itself as a muscle relaxant doesn’t make the person high, but it makes the effects of what is in that person’s system last longer and intensifies the high,” Farmer said. “It being used as an adulterant and does pose significant harm to the individual that is using the drug. One of the long-term effects of the drug is a rot. We do have some examples in Tennessee already where we have seen significant muscle decay and nasty scars at the injection site.”

The National Institute on Drug Abuse confirmed similar harmful side effects of the repeated use of fentanyl cut with Xylazine, some of which include skin ulcers, abscesses, and eruptions of a scaly, dead tissue known as eschar. When left untreated, eschar can result in the need to amputate both the unhealthy skin and in severe cases, entire arms or legs.

As if the side effects of Xylazine aren’t gruesome enough on their own, mixing it with fentanyl is deadly. Farmer explained that Xylaxine is a non-opioid, which means that those who are overdosing with drugs cut with it may not respond to overdose reversal medications such as Naloxone.

Patients not responding to Narcan has been one of the earliest indicators for law enforcement officers and first responders who dealing with Xylazine. They are reporting that when it does work, which is not all the time, it is taking more than the typical dose of Naloxone to revive victims.

The presence of Xylazine has been reported in all three divisions of the state, with East Tennessee leading the way with the most cases. However, Middle Tennessee is closing in on the numbers that have been seen in the Knoxville area.

Anyone struggling with addiction or substance use disorder can call or text the TN REDLINE at 800-889-9789 for confidential referrals.