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TRENTON, NJ — As New Jersey faces a growing addiction crisis related to the use of a powerful animal tranquilizer known as “tranq,” health officials and addiction specialists point to the growing availability of treatment options throughout state. Tranq, the street name for xylazine, is increasingly being found mixed with opioids such as fentanyl, leading to increased health risks and complications in overdose cases.

Xylazine, a non-opioid sedative used primarily by veterinarians, has raised alarm because of its effects, which include extreme sedation, respiratory depression and necrotic skin ulcers. Because xylazine is not an opioid, it does not respond to naloxone, the overdose-reversing drug that has been the cornerstone of opioid overdose prevention.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued an alert, noting that “xylazine has been identified as a contaminant in illicit drugs, and xylazine-related overdoses cannot be reversed by naloxone, making it more difficult to resolve in situations emergency”.

New Jersey officials stress the availability of recovery services to combat the growing crisis. The state Department of Human Services operates the ReachNJ Hotline, a 24/7 resource that provides confidential assistance and referrals to treatment facilities and crisis assistance. According to Governor Phil Murphy, “Our goal is to make sure that anyone who needs help can get it, no matter what substance they’re struggling with.”

In an effort to counter the evolving threat of substances like xylazine, New Jersey expanded funding for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs and increased outreach through harm reduction initiatives. Harm reduction centres, including the Newark syringe exchange, have reported an increase in cases linked to xylazine. “We see more serious injuries and the need for different medical approaches when xylazine is involved,” said Caitlin O’Neill, program director of the New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition, in an interview with NJ Spotlight News.

The presence of xylazine reflects wider changes in drug supply, complicating the state’s response to addiction. Dr. Shereef Elnahal, former New Jersey health commissioner and current undersecretary for health at the US Department of Veterans Affairs, previously explained to reporters that the proliferation of xylazine adds “a new and dangerous dimension to the overdose crisis.” He noted that awareness and adaptation are key to the ongoing response efforts.

For those seeking help, the state’s comprehensive resources include outpatient treatment, detox programs and support for family members. “The more we talk about treatment options, the better we can serve people in crisis,” said Valerie Mielke, assistant commissioner of the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

With tranq-related overdoses on the rise, state leaders and health organizations are urging individuals to be vigilant and take advantage of available recovery programs. “We need to be proactive, understand changes in drug use trends and respond with flexible treatment options,” Governor Murphy said during a recent press conference.

The rise of xylazine poses new challenges, but state officials stress that New Jersey’s recovery and rehabilitation infrastructure is evolving to meet the needs of those struggling with addiction.

Visit Reachnj.gov for more options.