Xylazine and Drug Mixtures: AKA Zombie Drug

Course overview

A tranquilizer called xylazine, a non-opioid sedative, is increasingly being found in the US illegal drug supply and linked to overdose deaths. Xylazine is not approved for use in people and can slow down the brain and breathing, make the heart beat slower, and lower blood pressure in people, is especially dangerous when combined with opioids like fentanyl. This course requires the participant to read and understand Xylazine and Drug Mixtures, which is a Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) that describes how SUD treatment providers can use the latest evidence on motivation-enhancing approaches and strategies to increase participation and retention in SUD treatment. This course is intended to familiarize drug and alcohol treatment service providers, mental health service providers, peer recovery support specialists, behavioral health program managers, directors, and administrators, clinical supervisors, and healthcare providers which elaborates on the role that public health practitioners can play in reducing xylazine exposure and supporting key stakeholders, such as clinical partners and harm reduction organizations, who engage with people using illicit substances.