Street drugs: the increased presence of xylazine worries Montreal’s public health

The preliminary results of the “Supraregional project for the analysis of drugs in the urine of people who use drugs in Quebec” indicate that people who use drugs (PUD) are increasingly exposed to the consumption of xylazine without their knowledge. This painkiller is often integrated with other substances in powder form.

Of the 300 urine samples collected in Montreal during the fall of 2022, 5% contained xylazine.

Xylazine is a sedative with analgesic and muscle relaxant properties used in veterinary medicineexplains the DRSP of Montreal in a press release.

« Chronic consumption of xylazine would be associated with significant skin problems, independent of the injection sites [abcès, ulcères nécrotiques et infections des tissus mous]. »

— A quote from Press release from the Montreal Regional Public Health Department

Each urine sample containing the drug in question also containedtimes more potent than fentanyl), metonitazene (a synthetic opioid similar in potency to fentanyl), and benzodiazepines not marketed in Canada (bromazolam, flubromazepam)”,”text”:”carfentanil (an opioid approximately 100 times more potent than fentanyl), metonitazene (synthetic opioid similar in potency to fentanyl), and benzodiazepines not marketed in Canada (bromazolam, flubromazepam)”}}”>carfentanil (opioid about 100 times more potent than fentanyl), metonitazene (synthetic opioid similar in potency to fentanyl) and benzodiazepines not marketed in Canada (bromazolam, flubromazepam).

All partners in the health network, community organizations and peer associations are also invited to intensify preventive actions and increase their vigilance.indicates the DRSP.

Consumption of xylazine mixed with other depressants considerably increases the risk of overdose. If so, the person may experience various symptoms: slow heart rate, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing which may progress to respiratory arrest, severe drowsiness, decreased or no response to stimuli, hyperglycemia, miosis (pupils constricted).

The DRSP anyone in the throes of an overdose, or those around them, to call 911 in the event of symptoms.

The administration of naloxone makes it possible to counter the effects of opioids, but it cannot do the same for those of xylazine and benzodiazepines, specifies public health. However, his administration is always recommendeddue to the similarity of effects.