SACRAMENTO, California — Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new bill to crack down on the so-called "zombie drug."
During the summer, officials in Sacramento and Butte County warned it would soon become more prevalent. An undercover detective even sounded off on just how dangerous it is.
"A very potent and very deadly drug to get their hands on and a very small amount can do very great harm to many people," said the detective.
The first cases of xylazine are being detected all across the country from Florida to California.
"The information we received is that this drug is in 48 of our states right now," the detective said.
It can be found in pills, powder and needles. Xylazine is a horse tranquilizer known as "tranq." The drug has also been getting cut with fentanyl.
Xylazine is nicknamed "tranq" because of the zombie-like effects it gives users, eating them alive.
"Mainly, what we're seeing as the side effects include basically very bad lesions to the skin that will lead to amputations later down the road, and that's something that we have not seen with any other drug that we've come across," said the detective.
Governor Newsom released a statement saying the drug poses a "unique and devastating challenge" in the fight against the overdose epidemic.
"Although California is not yet seeing tranq at the same rates as other parts of the country, this legislation will help the state stay ahead and curb dealers and traffickers, while we work to provide treatment and resources for those struggling with addiction and substance abuse," said Newsom.
Both Butte County and the Sacramento County District Attorney's Crime Lab are predicting Tranq will become more prevalent.
"We are just now starting to see it. We have a handful of cases," said Kristel Suchland, supervising criminalist.
The new legislation would make xylazine a controlled substance, but exempt legitimate veterinary use, making illicit trafficking of xylazine subject to increased criminal penalties while maintaining veterinarians' access to the drug for approved use in animals.
One of the big concerns is that there's no cure if someone overdoses.
"Narcan does not help; it only helps with opioids," said Suchland.
The new legislation is part of the governor's master plan for tackling the fentanyl crisis.
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