The British government has decided to ban the drug used to anesthetize animals.
The British government has announced legislation to ban the so-called 'zombie drug' xylazine and 21 other drugs in a bid to prevent human deaths and crack down on criminal gangs.
This 'zombie drug' is a powerful animal sedative, also known as a 'trank', often used to render unconscious or semi-anesthetized large animals such as cows or horses. Addicts use this drug with other drugs to increase the effect of the drug.
Long-term users of this drug often experience semi-consciousness and skin lesions that do not heal.
Use in other drugs and vape
According to the British Home Office, the drug is often used with drugs like heroin, and has even been found in marijuana and vape.
Researchers at King's College London say the drug is 'widely available' in the UK's illegal drug market.
So far, at least one death has been reported from the use of this drug in the UK.
According to a British media report, the drug was found in one in six vapes seized from British schools.
Legislation in the UK
The Misuse of Drugs Act in the UK sets out three distinct categories of 'controlled drugs', with class A drugs being the most dangerous and deserving of the harshest punishment.
Under the new law, xylazine will be classified as a Class C drug, and anyone who manufactures or supplies the Class C drug can face fines and up to 14 years in prison, or both, while possessing the drug for personal use. Possession can be punished with imprisonment up to 2 years.
The British Home Office says other countries, including the US where its abuse is on the rise, have not yet taken similar measures.
Deaths caused by the use of this drug in the United States increased from 102 in 2018 to 3,486 in 2021.
