Attorney General Mayes Joins Bipartisan Coalition Urging Congress to Pass Legislation to Protect Communities from Illicit Xylazine
PHOENIX – Attorney General Mayes today joined a bipartisan coalition of 40 other attorneys general in calling on Congress to pass the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. The bipartisan legislation would classify the dangerous animal tranquilizer xylazine – which is often mixed with fentanyl and other opioids – as a federal controlled substance to better protect communities and reduce opioid overdose deaths. In a letter to House and Senate leadership, Attorney General Mayes and the coalition explain the dangers of illicit xylazine, which is causing an increasing number of opioid overdose deaths, and argue that federally classifying xylazine as a controlled substance is essential to helping law enforcement stop the spread of the drug.
“Xylazine is making already dangerous street drugs even more harmful,” said Attorney General Mayes. “I urge Congress to take action to protect Arizona communities from this substance.”
Xylazine, widely known by its street name “tranq,” is a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer used for large animals, including horses and deer, and is not approved for any human use. Xylazine is not an opioid and therefore does not respond to the overdose reversal drug naloxone, greatly increasing its lethality when mixed with opioids. In recent years, xylazine has been mixed with illicit opioids, most commonly fentanyl.
Attorney General Mayes and the coalition argue that the lack of information on xylazine’s development, distribution, and related deaths makes it difficult to track and stop the spread of the drug. The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act would classify xylazine as a controlled substance, would allow the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to track the manufacturing of the drug, prevent diversion, and mandate public reporting. With more information on the development, distribution, and use of xylazine, law enforcement professionals would be better equipped to fight against this rising threat. Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the legislation with strong bipartisan support. In their letter, the attorneys general urge Congress to immediately pass this legislation to help address the opioid epidemic and save lives.
The letter is led by the attorneys general of New York, Arkansas, Connecticut, and Tennessee. Joining the letter are the attorneys general of American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
A copy of the letter is available.