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Abstract
Background: Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” is an alpha-2 agonist with various effects
including central nervous system depression, analgesia, and vasoconstriction. Since xylazine is a
non-opioid, its effects are not reversible with ,bnaloxone, complicating overdose treatment.
Xylazine is becoming increasingly prevalent in the illicit drug supply, especially on the east
coast of the United States. This study aims to understand xylazine usage and awareness among
people who use drugs (PWUD) in Denver, Colorado.
Methods: This project was conducted with the Harm Reduction Action Center (HRAC), a public health agency working with PWUD. An anonymous 16-question survey was conducted among its participants (n=148), evaluating their usage and awareness of xylazine from July to August 2023.
Results: Fifty-three percent of participants had heard of xylazine and 16.3% of participants reported that they had used xylazine. No participants selected xylazine as their primary drug of choice. Those who selected fentanyl or heroin as their primary drug of choice were significantly more likely to have used xylazine (p=0.0001 and p=0.0027, respectively) compared to participants whose primary drug of choice was methamphetamines or THC. Out of the participants who said that they had used or were unsure if they had used xylazine (n= 37), 75.7% said it was unintentional use.
Conclusion: These data suggest that awareness of xylazine is still limited among PWUD in Denver despite its presence in the community. Future research is warranted to determine whether raising awareness about xylazine helps PWUD make informed medical choices in addition to reducing the rates of overdose in the community.
Methods: This project was conducted with the Harm Reduction Action Center (HRAC), a public health agency working with PWUD. An anonymous 16-question survey was conducted among its participants (n=148), evaluating their usage and awareness of xylazine from July to August 2023.
Results: Fifty-three percent of participants had heard of xylazine and 16.3% of participants reported that they had used xylazine. No participants selected xylazine as their primary drug of choice. Those who selected fentanyl or heroin as their primary drug of choice were significantly more likely to have used xylazine (p=0.0001 and p=0.0027, respectively) compared to participants whose primary drug of choice was methamphetamines or THC. Out of the participants who said that they had used or were unsure if they had used xylazine (n= 37), 75.7% said it was unintentional use.
Conclusion: These data suggest that awareness of xylazine is still limited among PWUD in Denver despite its presence in the community. Future research is warranted to determine whether raising awareness about xylazine helps PWUD make informed medical choices in addition to reducing the rates of overdose in the community.