Zombie Drug Alert: Heroin and Animal Tranquilizer Mix Concerns NACADA
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Substance Abuse (NACADA) has issued a warning about a new substance that is turning young people into zombies in the Coast region.
After a month-long investigation into the drug’s use and effects, NACADA determined that the substance was not fentanyl, as had been previously claimed.
Prof. John Muteti, acting CEO of NACADA, stated to the media on Friday that 20 samples of the unknown substance disclosed that the drug was a mixture of several other narcotics.
Muteti explained that the substance can induce drowsiness, confusion, and ‘zombie-like’ behavior in users.
“The zombie-like symptoms among drug users can be attributed to either one or a combination of the following factors; high dosage of heroin and a combination of heroin with high dosage of prescription drugs especially Diazepam and Amitriptyline,” Muteti stated.
“The symptoms are also attributed to a combination of methadone with heroin, high dosage of prescription drugs and other substances and mono use or combination of heroin and Xylazine, which is a veterinary animal tranquilizer.”
Muteti noted that the forensic tests confirmed the presence of opiates combined with several prescription medications and animal tranquilizers.
NACADA is alarmed by the discovery of Xylazine in the collected and analyzed samples.
ALSO READ: CS Kuria Warns: Any 250ml Liquor Bottle Below Ksh.250 is Illicit!
“Xylazine is a sedative, analgesic, and muscle relaxant that is used in veterinary medicine to immobilize animals. It is not approved for human use in Kenya,” the NACADA statement read in part.
The authority explained that xylazine’s effects on humans can vary based on dose, route of administration, and individual tolerance.
However, common side effects include lethargy, sedation, muscle relaxation, hypotension, bradycardia, and hypothermia (low body temperature).
Xylazine may also cause respiratory depression (slowed or stopped respiration), coma, seizures, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and death.
Muteti expressed concern about a potential public health crisis in the treatment of drug overdoses, as the life-saving medication Naloxone is ineffective against the drug’s overdose effects.
“The scientific evidence from our mission shows that with the emerging evidence of non-medical use of veterinary drugs, there is an urgent need to institute measures to regulate and control the diversion of such drugs into the illegal market,” he stated.
This includes a significant consideration for the scheduling of Xylazine and other veterinary drugs susceptible to abuse to prevent such occurrences.
Zombie Drug Alert: Heroin and Animal Tranquilizer Mix Concerns NACADA
