UK government bans ‘zombie drug’ xylazine and other opioids

The British government on Tuesday announced new legislation that would ban the drug xylazine, commonly known as the “zombie drug,” along with 21 other harmful substances. As The Economic Times reported, the move is part of a broader effort to reduce drug-related deaths and crack down on criminal gangs that profit from the dangerous drugs.

Xylazinealso known as “tranq,” is a powerful animal tranquilizer that is increasingly being abused in combination with opioids such as heroin or fentanyl. It often leaves long-term users in a semi-conscious state and has been linked to severe skin lesions that do not heal. The UK Home Office has also found traces of xylazine in cannabis vapes, highlighting its growing presence on the illicit drug market.

According to researchers from King’s College London, the drug has become “widespread” in the UK’s illicit drug scene. Other substances targeted by the new legislation include new variants of nitazenes, synthetic opioids hundreds of times stronger than heroin that have been linked to fatal overdoses.

Tougher penalties for drug suppliers

Under the UK’s Misuse of Drugs Act, drugs are divided into three categories, with Class A being the most dangerous and carrying the most severe legal penalties. The new legislation will reclassify xylazine as a Class C drug. Those caught manufacturing or supplying Class C substances could face an unlimited fine, up to 14 years in prison, or both.

The UK Home Office noted that countries such as the United States, which have seen a rise in xylazine abuse, have yet to introduce similar restrictions. In the US, xylazine overdose deaths rose 30-fold between 2018 and 2021.

Minister of Police Diana Johnson stressed the urgency of the UK’s proactive approach. “We have seen what has happened in other countries when the use of these drugs has spiralled out of control,” she said. “That is why we are among the first countries to take action and protect our communities from these dangerous new drugs.”

Johnson also noted that the new measures make it easier for law enforcement to target suppliers who attempt to circumvent existing drug controls.

Cover image created with AI