Xylazine detected in unregulated opioids and drug administration equipment in Toronto, Canada: clinical and social implications

Original research
by
Bowles, Jeannette M. et al

Release Date

2021

Geography

Canada

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

In September 2020, xylazine was first detected by Toronto’s Drug Checking Service

Findings/Key points

The increased risk of overdose associated with use of xylazine and its detection within our setting highlights the importance of drug checking services in supporting rapid responses to the emergence of potentially harmful adulterants. These data also highlight the clinical challenges presented by the dynamic nature of unregulated drug markets and the concomitant need to establish regulatory structures to reduce their contribution to overdose morbidity and mortality.

Design/methods

Analysis of 2263 samples submitted to the Toronto Drug Checking Service

Keywords

Overdose
Mortality
Harm reduction
Policy/Regulatory
Decriminalization/legalization
Drug checking