Attorney General Moody Urges Congress to Pass Bipartisan Bill to Fight Prevalence of Deadly Xylazine

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Release Date
May 18, 2023
Contact
Kylie Mason
Phone
(850) 245-0150

News Alert

 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody today urged congressional leadership to pass the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act (H.R.1839/S.993). This bill would provide critical measures to combat the widespread illicit use and trafficking of xylazine and help prevent xylazine-related deaths. Attorney General Moody’s call on Congress follows a surge in overdose deaths nationwide related to xylazine, a potent veterinary medication that is being widely mixed with illicit drugs, such as fentanyl, and is easily obtainable online. Over the past few months, multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, have issued public alerts about the dangers of xylazine. 
 
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Xylazine burst onto the illicit substances scene this year exacerbating the worst overdose crisis we have ever seen. This flesh-eating zombie drug is being combined with extremely deadly fentanyl and for months we have been fighting to educate the public about its dangers. I urge all members of Congress to support the important Combatting Illicit Xylazine Act.”
 
Xylazine is only approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a veterinary medicine used to sedate and relieve pain in large animals. In humans, xylazine is known to depress breathing and heart rate, lower blood pressure, and cause unconsciousness, necrosis and even death. Xylazine is not an opioid; thus, existing medications like naloxone are not effective in reversing the drug’s effects even if used with opioids.
 
According to DEA, a dramatic increase in xylazine-related overdose deaths across the U.S. occurred between 2020 and 2021, with an increase of 1,127% in the Southern region, 750% in the Western region, 516% in the Mideast region and 103% in the Northeast region. Additionally, in 2022, approximately 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills seized by the DEA contained xylazine. 

In a letter to congressional leaders today, Attorney General Moody urged lawmakers to pass the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. The bill federally schedules the dangerous drug and allows DEA to track manufacturing and sales of xylazine to ensure it is not diverted, among other measures.

Attorney General Ashley Moody began warning about the dangers and prominence of xylazine in March of this year:

  • Before spring break, Attorney General Moody alerted students and parents about xylazine and other dangerous illicit substances. To learn more, click here.
  • Attorney General Moody released a video warning about xylazine being found in Florida, including at least 236 Floridians dying last year with xylazine in their system. To view the video, click here.
  • Attorney General Moody called on the DEA to take action and add xylazine to the federal list of controlled substances. To learn more, click here. 
  • Attorney General Moody and law enforcement leaders issued a public safety announcement about the danger of xylazine. To learn more, click here.

In addition to Attorney General Moody, the attorneys general of the following states and territories signed the letter: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

To read the letter, click here.