In a concerning development, a flesh-eating "zombie drug" known as "Tranq" has wreaked havoc in cities across the United States, resulting in 150 overdoses and nine fatalities within the past 18 months in a Florida county, according to a report by the New York Post. This dangerous drug, officially called xylazine, is typically used as a tranquilizer for cows and horses. However, it has found its way into the illicit drug market, with producers increasingly mixing it with fentanyl.

Orange County Sheriff John Mina revealed that an alarming 80% of seized fentanyl during a recent operation contained Xylazine. Speaking at a press conference, Sheriff Mina referred to Tranq as an "emerging public health threat" and expressed concern that overdose victims do not respond to emergency treatments.

What makes Xylazine particularly alarming is that it does not react to Narcan, a medication commonly used to reverse opioid overdoses. This makes it extremely difficult to treat individuals experiencing an overdose from this deadly combination of drugs.

The use of Tranq is rapidly escalating wherever it appears, leading to outbreaks of severe skin infections and a surge in overdoses. Opioid addicts have described its effects as eating away at their flesh, similar to the damage caused by a crocodile. Furthermore, Tranq has gained a reputation for leaving fentanyl users in a zombie-like state, hunched over and unresponsive.

According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the mixture of xylazine with fentanyl has created the most lethal drug threat ever faced by the country.

The National Post reports that Xylazine induces sedative effects, including excessive sleepiness and respiratory depression. It also causes open sores that can quickly worsen and become serious after repeated exposure. If left untreated, these ulcerations, which can progress to dead skin known as eschar, may even necessitate amputation.

Los Angeles public health officials have noted that when xylazine is combined with opioids like fentanyl, which is frequently the case, it intensifies the life-threatening respiratory depression caused by opioids. This significantly raises the risk of overdoses and fatalities.

Captain Darryl Blanford has explained that fentanyl producers are using Tranq because it prolongs the user's high and compels them to seek more despite the associated risks.

As per a 2022 report, xylazine has been detected in 36 states across the United States. Many states have taken various measures to curb the spread of this dangerous substance.