WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County has recorded its first known death related to the animal tranquilizer Xylazine.
A toxicology report found the person had the drug commonly known as “tranq” in their system along with fentanyl and methamphetamine.
The county health department said tranq is often mixed with other dangerous drugs and is never safe for use by humans.
It reduces a person’s brain activity and dangerously suppresses breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. Users often develop severe skin wounds that are difficult to heal.
Xylazine is not an opioid, so naloxone spray doesn’t reverse its effects as it does for opioid overdose. The health department still urges the use of naloxone and to call 911 any time an overdose is suspected.
