Emerging drug ‘Tranq’ leading to amputations

Health officials say Philadelphia is ground zero for a drug that is infiltrating the drug supply in the city. It is called “Xylazine” or “Tranq” as it is known on the streets. Officials say drug suppliers are lacing the fentanyl and heroin supply with the animal tranquilizer because it is cheap and easy to get. Xylazine is an unscheduled veterinary drug. It’s easy to obtain and not illegal. It causes fast-moving necrotic wounds mostly on extremities and not necessarily at injection sites. Necrosis is the death of body tissue.

That’s necrotic flesh,” says the woman in the video, “This actually looks phenomenal right now,” she said as she points to the open flesh of her arm.