VIDEO: AG Moody Warns of Flesh-Eating Drug Mixed with Fentanyl

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning Floridians about the flesh-eating “zombie drug,” xylazine, also known as “tranq.” Xylazine is a Schedule I controlled substance in Florida, meaning it is a crime to possess or sell in the state. This week, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration issued a warning about the sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Floridians need to be aware that xylazine is making one of the deadliest drugs in history, fentanyl, even deadlier. Xylazine is a sedative, and therefore resistant to standard opioid reversal treatments such as Narcan. There has never been a more dangerous time to take a chance on any illicit substance, and this drug is only making the problem worse. I’m urging everyone to never use illicit drugs, just one pill or one use can kill.”

According to the DEA, xylazine and fentanyl mixtures have been seized in 48 states, including Florida. DEA lab system reports show that, in 2022, approximately 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills seized contained xylazine. People who use xylazine may develop severe wounds, including necrosis—the rotting of human tissue that may lead to amputation.

According to a recent news report, at least 236 Floridians died last year with xylazine in their system.

To learn more about the dangers of using counterfeit pills, view Attorney General Moody’s video message about these pills flooding the illicit drug market in the U.S. by clicking here.

To inform Floridians about the dangers of opioid misuse, Attorney General Moody developed the Dose of Reality Florida website. Dose of Reality Florida contains information about how to receive support for addiction, where to safely dispose of unused prescription drugs and much more. To learn more about Dose of Reality Florida, click here.

It has never been more important for people struggling with substance abuse to get help. In 2022, Attorney General Moody helped launch ATLAS, a free treatment-locater tool located on TreatmentAtlas.org. Floridians struggling with addiction can search the tool to find local treatment services.