'We're seeing it in London now': Harm reduction workers warn of animal sedative found in street drugs

Harm reduction workers in London say xylazine is more commonly appearing in the area's street fentanyl supply.

Also known as "tranq" or "tranq dope," xylazine is an animal tranquillizer that suppresses vital signs and can cause prolonged blackouts. It's often used on horses and large animals but is not approved for use in humans in Canada. Users can develop deep wounds that may lead to amputation.

"We haven't seen it locally in London regularly, but we've noticed over the past week that it's showing up consistently in the fentanyl that's being tested on site," said Megan Van Boheeman, director of harm reduction services with Regional HIV/AIDS Connection.

On Tuesday, the organization took to social media to raise the alarm about the drug to the wider community.

It's difficult to predict trends in an unregulated drug supply, said Van Boheeman, but the test results are noteworthy following recent news of a xylazine increase in other parts of Ontario like Kitchener, Toronto, Ottawa and Thunder Bay.

"We're seeing it in London now," she said. "It's just a warning to people who are using drugs to say, hey, we're seeing this. Keep an eye out for yourself, keep yourself safe, keep your friends safe."

Xylazine is among a number of common additives, such as benzodiazepine, cut into fentanyl to produce a stronger high. In the past advocates have called on the City of London to do more to test street drugs to reduce the risk of overdoses.

Overdose emergency declared in Ontario town

On Tuesday, the city of Belleville declared an "overdose emergency" after crews responded to 14 overdoses in the span of two hours in the eastern Ontario city's core. Medical Officer of Health for Hastings Prince Edward Public Health Dr. Ethan Toumishey said Wednesday it was too soon to determine exactly what caused Belleville's surge in overdoses.

The event is indicative of a pattern seen growing across the province, said Tara Gomes, a scientist at Unity Health Toronto and program director of the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network.

"We're just seeing more potent opioids and newer substances mixed in with that supply," she said. "And unfortunately, when people don't know exactly what it is in the supply that they are using can be incredibly dangerous for them."

Gomes is calling on provincial and federal level governments to increase support for harm reduction and treatment services.

Xylazine causes significantly lowered blood pressure, confusion and memory loss. Naloxone, a medication used to reverse overdoses of fentanyl and other opioids, doesn't work on it because it is not opioid.

It's still important, Van Boheeman said, to have Naloxone on hand and be ready to use it when someone shows signs of an overdose. Users should never take drugs alone, she said. They're encouraged to come to Carepoint Consumption and Treatment Service, where drugs can be tested on site.