House passes bill to classify xylazine as Schedule III controlled substance
The classification would give law enforcement additional tools to target traffickers while preserving access for lawful use by veterinarians, farmers and ranchers.
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The House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday aimed at helping law enforcement crack down on the dangerous sedative xylazine.
The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act would classify the drug as a Schedule III controlled substance.
The classification would give law enforcement additional tools to target traffickers while preserving access for lawful use by veterinarians, farmers and ranchers.
Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer, also known as “tranq” on the illegal drug market. It can slow breathing, heart rate and blood pressure in humans.
Lawmakers say xylazine is frequently mixed with fentanyl as a cost-cutting measure.
Xylazine’s sedative effects cannot be reversed by Narcan because it is not an opioid.
MORE: White House, DEA issue warnings about overdose deaths linked to fentanyl, xylazine combination
