Drug enforcement officials have found that a large-animal sedative known as xylazine, found to be laced within fentanyl, was responsible for 36% of fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Athens last year.

Rich McDougald, commander of Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force, stated the sedative was first found in fentanyl back 2021. Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” blocks the effects of Narcan to reverse an opioid overdose, which can result in death.

“You can’t look at that and go, ‘Well it could be related, it could not be related.’ I think there’s pretty much testimonial evidence throughout the nation that xylazine has become an issue in fentanyl,” McDouglad said.

The large animal tranquilizer is not “an opioid-based pain remedy,” but an analgesic drug that is used to relieve pain, commonly for horses. Narcan is known to help stem opioid overdoses and because xylazine is not an opioid, it is not affected by Narcan.

The percentage of deaths due to fentanyl-related overdoses continues to rise in Athens-Clarke County. In 2023, 65% of drug-related deaths were connected to fentanyl, 4% higher than in 2022.

Starling Bridges, clinical director of Serenity Grove, said the spike is related to the low-cost production of fentanyl compared to other drugs.

“The cartels have figured out it’s much cheaper to make fentanyl than it is to make heroin, and it’s also easier to smuggle it in because it’s much smaller amounts, is just as potent as larger amounts of heroin,” Bridges said.

Effects of Using Fentanyl and Fentanyl Overdose

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is extremely powerful, and its effects are similar to morphine. Fentanyl should only be used if it has been prescribed by a doctor.

The drug is typically prescribed to patients who experience severe pain and are physically tolerant to other opioids. However, this drug is also made and used illegally to self-medicate.

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Sarah Brown, program director of outpatient treatment at Inner Voyage Recovery Center, has worked with a lot of individuals who have used fentanyl as their substance of choice. She finds it interesting that patients have chosen it as their main choice.

“It’s very interesting to kind of see that be their main drug of choice or substance of choice, if that’s how you want to call it,” Brown said. “Just because there is such a high risk of overdose. I’ve seen a lot of clients that have come in that have overdosed multiple times from using fentanyl on a regular basis.”

Brown said not only does the drug have a high risk for overdose, but it also affects people in their daily lives and with their daily functions.

“I would say, like, the biggest part of their lives that is impacted is just basic functioning. They can’t do anything without being under the influence. And with using fentanyl, it completely takes away all function. Like you can’t even stay awake when you’re high on it,” Brown said.

Not only has Brown experienced individuals having difficulty functioning in their daily lives, but she has also witnessed many patients die due to fentanyl.

“I think the biggest thing that I’ve encountered is the death. It’s the overdose that they don’t get to come back from. I’ve had, you know, a lot of experiences with clients that have died,” Brown said.

Options Available For Fentanyl Users

While fentanyl is a dangerous drug and high risk for addiction, there are options available for addicts in need, and Bridges feels it is never too late to get help. Serenity Grove is one of many addiction rehab facilities to help those in the Athens area.

“Simply googling for help can get you started to get you in touch with a professional like me that can guide you to, based on your situation, what would be a best practice or a best approach,” Bridges said.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) has a free, confidential national helpline that is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help find treatment near you.

Faith James is a journalism major in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia.