TAMPA, Fla. — The number of Floridians who tested positive for a horse tranquilizer after they died doubled within a year.
10 Investigates was one of the first news outlets in the country to start sounding the alarm on this problem in 2022.
We now have data from 2022 newly released by the Florida Medical Examiners Commission, which is important because it was the first year that Florida medical examiners were required to report when people tested positive for xylazine after death.
They reported 471 dead Floridians tested positive in 2022. That’s double the number from 2021 before reporting xylazine was required when Florida medical examiners voluntarily identified 236 deaths.
Some people who ingest xylazine have no idea that it’s been mixed into the drugs they bought.
People who are using it on purpose have told researchers that xylazine makes the feelings of euphoria they get from fentanyl last longer.
Last year, we did an update about how emergency rooms don't test for xylazine, potentially leaving people in the dark that their drugs are getting mixed with it.
Without testing, the only way someone might find out their drugs are getting mixed with xylazine is if they develop horrible skin wounds where the tissue dies – a sign of chronic xylazine use.
Those wounds are really tough to look at, but if you do need to be able to identify them, you can see some examples here.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when xylazine is combined with opioids, it increases the risk of fatal overdose because it can cause slowed heart rate, low blood pressure, and slow, ineffective breathing.
Xylazine also makes the go-to overdose-reversal medication for opioids less effective at saving lives — naloxone, better known by the brand name Narcan.
Even though naloxone doesn’t affect xylazine, experts stress it’s still a good idea to have it around in case of an opioid overdose.
Here’s where you can find naloxone near you.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, you can find resources here.
You can also see all of 10 Tampa Bay’s in-depth reporting on the fentanyl epidemic in our series “Overdosed.” These stories explore possible solutions like drug testing strips, safe places to use, and tougher prosecution for those who deal deadly drugs.