Xylazine Spreads West According to New Millennium Health Signals Alert™
16 July 2024 - 2:01PM
Business Wire
Urine drug test (UDT) data indicate significant
uptick in xylazine use in the West, remains deeply entrenched in
the East
According to the Millennium Health Signals Alert released
today, xylazine use among those who use fentanyl grew substantially
in the West in the year after the Office of National Drug Control
Policy (ONDCP) designated fentanyl adulterated with xylazine an
emerging threat. At the same time, xylazine use also grew in New
England, further tightening its grip on the Eastern U.S. where
rates of use are approximately double the national rate of
15.6%.
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Xylazine remains a significant concern in
the eastern U.S., and a growing concern out West. Clinicians across
the U.S. should be aware of and prepared to address the use of
fentanyl adulterated with xylazine in their communities. (Graphic:
Business Wire)
“The use of fentanyl adulterated with xylazine is associated
with profound, long-lasting sedation that may increase overdose
risk and susceptibility to victimization and other harms,” said
Chief Clinical Officer Angela Huskey, PharmD, CPE. “Because
xylazine exposure remains a significant challenge in the East and
is a growing concern in the West, clinicians across the U.S. need
to be prepared to recognize and address the consequences of
xylazine use among people who use fentanyl.”
Pennsylvania (40.3%), New York (36.5%), and Ohio (34.6%) had the
highest xylazine positivity rates over the year and the top 20
states were all situated along or east of the Mississippi
River.
“The threat associated with the combination of fentanyl and
xylazine is incredibly pernicious and often leads to tragic
consequences,” says Scott Walton, CEO. “We are proud of the role
that Millennium Health plays in providing timely and actionable
data to those on the front lines of helping address this crisis and
look forward to continuing to be a resource.”
Methodology
This Signals Alert represents an analysis of over 50,000
fentanyl-positive urine drug test specimens collected between April
12, 2023 and April 11, 2024. Millennium Health researchers analyzed
xylazine positivity rates in fentanyl-positive UDT specimens by
U.S. Census Division and state. A copy of the full Alert,
references, and complete statistical methods can be accessed
here.
About Millennium Health
Millennium Health is an accredited specialty laboratory
providing medication monitoring via definitive urine and oral fluid
drug tests to support improved clinical decision-making as part of
treatment for millions of Americans with chronic pain, mental
illness, substance use disorders, and other health conditions. Drug
testing is used to obtain objective information about patients’
recent use of prescription medications and/or illicit drugs and
helps monitor the effectiveness of treatment plans. We also conduct
real-time tracking of emerging drug use trends to help researchers,
public health officials, and policymakers address the significant
increase in drug overdose deaths.
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Jody Schneider Millennium Health
Jody.Schneider@millenniumhealth.com 619-917-6810