An important component in the ongoing effort to address the opioid crisis is being aware of developing drug trends. We have seen this when xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer known as “tranq” emerged several years ago in the illicit drug market. Now this article shows that  medetomidine, a drug used by veterinarians to sedate cats and dogs but not approved by the FDA for human consumption, is finding its way into the hands of drug traffickers.

The article notes that over a 5-month period starting in September 2024,165 people were hospitalized in Philadelphia suffering from the effects of medetomidine use. And we know that drug trends in Philadelphia move northward and make their way throughout our state

“The drug market has been consistently evolving. The increasing prevalence of medetomidine in New Jersey’s illicit drug supply reflects the ongoing trend toward more potent substances in the drug environment,” said Captain Jason Piotrowski, the Executive Officer for the Forensic and Technical Services Section for the New Jersey State Police. “As medetomidine is significantly more potent than xylazine, its potential to replace xylazine as a common adulterant in opioid mixtures has been a concern.” Clinicians and treatment providers, as well as the general public, need to be educated about the harmful effects caused by this recent development.