Xylazine’s growing role in overdose deaths nationwide prompts Administration to make this designation for the first time in U.S. history.
Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), has officially designated fentanyl adulterated or associated with xylazine as an emerging threat to the United States. Xylazine is a non-opioid tranquilizer approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for veterinary use but not human use. This designation comes after careful review of the impact of xylazine on the opioid crisis, including its growing role in overdose deaths in every region of the United States.
Following today’s public declaration, the Administration will take steps to publish a whole-of-government response that includes evidence-based prevention, treatment and supply reduction.