FARGO (KFGO) – The Fargo Police Department is warning the public about an increase in overdoses involving a Narcan-resistant drug.
In a Facebook post, the department says its Criminal Investigations Division works with partners like the Drug Enforcement Administration to monitor national narcotics trends, and xylazine, commonly known as “tranq,” has been flagged as a rising concern.
FPD says the depressant used by veterinarians to treat large farm animals and not approved for use in humans is being mixed into illicit opioids, including fentanyl. Because Xylazine is not an opioid, administering Narcan after an overdose does not address the impact it has on breathing, rendering it less effective.
The Cass County Drug Task Force says 8.5% of Fargo overdose deaths involved xylazine in 2021, but FPD says eastern states have seen a dramatic rise in xylazine-related overdose deaths. In Maryland, 19% of all drug overdose deaths involved xylazine; in Pennsylvania, 26% of all 2020 drug overdose deaths involved xylazine—up from 2% in 2015.
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