Whatcom County reports first Xylazine-related overdose death

Whatcom County reports first Xylazine-related overdose death

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The Whatcom County Well being Division introduced the primary Xylazine-related overdose dying on Friday, April 5.

The unidentified Whatcom County grownup resident had a number of medicine of their system, in line with a toxicology report, together with Xylazine, fentanyl and methamphetamines.

Xylazine, a typical animal tranquilizer utilized by veterinarians and farriers for horses and cattle, will be combined into fentanyl and may are available both a tablet or powdered kind. In people, it could trigger critical skin wounds across the body and reduces mind exercise, respiration, coronary heart charge and blood stress.

However as a result of Xylazine isn’t an opioid, naloxone spray can not work to reverse an overdose. Naloxone ought to nonetheless be given if an overdose is suspected since it can reverse fentanyl’s results.

The drug was recognized as an rising menace in the USA by the Biden Administration in July 2023.

In Whatcom County, the primary warning concerning the drug was issued in March 2023. The Medical Examiner’s Workplace starting to check all suspected overdose deaths for Xylazine because the summer time of 2022.

If you happen to assume somebody is experiencing an overdose, the well being division suggests giving naloxone if in case you have entry to it, calling 911 and offering rescue breaths if the particular person isn’t respiration or is taking irregular breaths.

Annie Todd is CDN’s prison justice/enterprise reporter; attain her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.

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