UK government wants to ban ‘zombie drug’ xylazine

Xylazine is increasingly being used in combination with opioids such as heroin. (AFP photo)

LONDON: The British government today announced legislation to ban the so-called “zombie drug” xylazine and 21 other drugs in a bid to tackle deaths and crack down on criminal gangs.

The very strong animal tranquilizer, also known as “tranq”, often leaves long-term users in an unresponsive state with non-healing skin lesions.

According to the UK Home Office, it is increasingly being used in combination with opioids such as heroin. Traces have also been found in cannabis vapes.

Researchers from King’s College London said the drug was “widespread” on the UK illegal drug market.

Other drugs that will be banned include new forms of nitasenes, highly addictive synthetic opioids that can be hundreds of times stronger than heroin and can easily lead to overdoses.

The UK’s Misuse of Drugs Act distinguishes three separate categories of ‘controlled drugs’, with Class A drugs considered the most dangerous and punishable by the most severe penalties.

The new legislation would make xylazine a Class C drug.

Anyone caught producing or supplying Class C drugs could face an unlimited fine, or a prison sentence of up to 14 years, or both.

According to the Interior Ministry, other countries where abuse has increased, including the US (where xylazine overdose deaths rose 30-fold between 2018 and 2021), have not yet taken similar measures.

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

“The changes being implemented this week also make it easier to take tough action against suppliers who try to circumvent our checks,” she said.