Unveiling the Hidden Threat: Xylazine in the Drug Supply

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky 

Guest: Alex Elswick, PhD Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery

Season 7, Episode 31

In this episode of Talking FACS, host Mindy McCulley is joined by Dr. Alex Elswick, Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, to discuss Xylazine, a non-opioid sedative increasingly found in the drug supply. Originally used in veterinary medicine, Xylazine is not intended for human consumption but is being mixed with drugs like fentanyl without users' knowledge, complicating the ongoing opioid crisis.

Dr. Elswick explains the unexpected presence of Xylazine in the drug market and its implications, highlighting how it poses new risks to overdose situations. The conversation delves into the difficulties posed by Xylazine's sedative effects, which can mask opioid overdoses and complicate life-saving interventions such as Naloxone administration.

The episode also explores methods used to detect Xylazine presence in communities, including innovative wastewater analysis. As the discussion unfolds, listeners gain an understanding of the broader context of drug contamination and the pressing need for enhanced public awareness.

Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.

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