Biden Administration Declares Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine an “Emerging Threat” to the United States

The Biden administration has declared that fentanyl mixed with xylazine, an animal tranquilizer known as “tranq”, is an “emerging threat” to the United States. This marks the first time in history that any administration has declared a substance to be an emerging threat to the country.

Dr. Rahul Gupta, the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, made the announcement on Wednesday. He said that the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl combined with xylazine is increasingly being used in illicit drugs and is contributing to the ongoing opioid crisis.

The SUPPORT Act of 2018 established that the office has authority to declare such “emerging threats,” and no administration has used it until now. The declaration requires the Biden administration to develop a federal plan to address the crisis.

In a briefing call on Tuesday, Dr. Gupta said, “As the president’s drug policy adviser, I am deeply concerned about what this threat means for the nation. We must act and act now.” He added that the administration is committed to addressing the opioid crisis and is taking steps to reduce the number of overdose deaths across the country.

The Biden administration is working to develop a comprehensive plan to address the crisis, including increasing access to treatment and prevention services, expanding access to the overdose-reversing drug naloxone, and increasing public awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and other opioids.