States Crack Down on Animal Sedative Used as Dangerous Additive in Illicit Drugs

States are restricting access to xylazine, an animal tranquilizer showing up in supplies of illicit drugs and contributing to a growing number of human overdose deaths.
Xylazine is used to sedate cows, horses, sheep and other animals, but it increasingly is being added to fentanyl and heroin.
Xylazine was detected in about 800 drug deaths in the U.S. in 2020 and more than 3,000 in 2021, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Pennsylvania and Ohio have added xylazine to their list of controlled substances, tightening regulations on the drug and allowing authorities to charge people who violate those rules.
Xylazine is already a schedule I controlled substance in Florida, meaning it is a crime to possess it or sell it in the state.