At Averhealth we understand that education is an invaluable tool on the road to recovery. The ever-changing stream of new drugs hitting our streets makes preventing overdoses and knowing what to test for a constant concern. That’s why our CEO Dominique Delagnes joined the 350 incredible speakers at RISE24 this year to present Emerging Drug Trends: The Impact of Overdoses and Testing Challenges. While sharing our Total Test Logistics expertise at the conference, she focused on a number of drugs that have risen to the top as points of concern in the industry. Our discussion with attendees highlighted three of those drugs as being especially troublesome: Xylazine, Fentanyl and Ketamine.
Xylazine
Officials confirm drug suppliers are lacing fentanyl and heroin with the animal tranquilizer Xylazine because it is cheap, easy to get and legal. This unscheduled veterinary drug has been found in drug supplies in 48 states and presents some devastating problems for testing and criminal justice. Also known as “Tranq” or the “Zombie Drug,” Xylazine causes fast–moving necrotic wounds that rot the skin and may lead to amputation. Because it isn’t an opioid, naloxone (Narcan) is ineffective in reversing an overdose. That being said, in 2022 around 30% of fentanyl seized by the DEA contained the drug, and Narcan can save someone overdosing from the opioids that are often laced with Xylazine. Hospitals and medical examiners rarely test for Xylazine, which is yet another reason education on emerging drug trends is so vital for staying ahead of overdoses. Averhealth is committed to sharing our knowledge to prevent future deaths and currently tests for Xylazine to help individuals on their recovery journey.
Fentanyl
A far more widely recognized drug, Fentanyl has been discussed in the news as being a dangerous player in the U.S.’s opioid epidemic. Fentanyl acts like an opiate in the body and has been used in surgery since 1963. Because it is 50-100 times more potent than morphine, it can be used to cut costs in heroin production by drug suppliers and to create counterfeit pills that pass as pharmaceuticals like Oxycodone. Fentanyl’s high potency makes it difficult to incorporate into other drugs without a high risk for overdose, symptoms of which include severe respiratory depression, muscle rigidity, seizures, hypotension and coma. Counterfeit pills are especially dangerous as they are marketed as legitimate prescription medicine while potentially containing lethal amounts of Fentanyl. Averhealth’s labs are equipped to test for 16 different types of Fentanyl, and because we work with programs across the country our analytics help us understand how drug trends like Fentanyl are ebbing and flowing across many different states. This knowledge is a valuable asset for tracking cycles of drug use in your program’s area.
Ketamine
Ketamine is a Schedule III substance that was originally developed as an anesthetic for animals in 1963. It has gained prominence in recent years through use by celebrities like Elon Musk and Matthew Perry, giving it a glossier image in the public eye. The drug is prescribed by doctors for pain management and depression, but Ketamine can present dangerous complications when used outside of medical bounds. Risks of Ketamine use include incontinence, mental health problems, dangerously slowed breathing, unconsciousness and fatal overdose. Synthetic versions of the drug also present dangers due to unregulated production methods and potency. Being able to test for synthetic drugs and keeping up with ever-changing trends make partnering with experts like Averhealth essential for any program hoping to combat substance use disorder, reduce overdoses and change lives for the better.
If your program is ready to partner with the industry’s only Total Test Logistic experts, we would love to talk to you about how we can improve results and streamline your process. To receive the full presentation Emerging Drug Trends: The Impact of Overdoses and Testing Challenges please enter your email address below.
