Xylazine in Overdose Deaths and Forensic Drug Reports in US States, 2019-2022.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Xylazine is increasingly reported in street drugs and fatal overdoses in the US, yet state-level data are limited, hampering local public health responses.

Objective

To gather available state-level data on xylazine involvement in overdose deaths and in forensic drug reports.

Design, setting, and participants

This cross-sectional study was a secondary analysis of 2019 to 2022 data from the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS), National Center for Health Statistics, and individual states' medical examiner or public health agency reports. Data were analyzed from August to October 2023.

Exposure

State.

Main outcomes and measures

Yearly xylazine-related overdose deaths per 100 000 residents; xylazine NFLIS drug reports, both per

SUBMITTER: Cano M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10770774 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature