Sheriff’s Office warns public of deadly combo — Fentanyl plus Xylazine

Last Friday, Governor Greg Gianforte talked about the nearly 11,000 percent increase in fentanyl seizures by anti-drug task forces in Montana since 2019. Fentanyl alone can be lethal, but when combined with another drug – Xylazine – it creates a more potent and lethal drug with horrendous effects, a release from the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office stated.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released a Health Alert Network Message on May 26, 2023, regarding the increased risk of Xylazine when mixed with illegal drugs. The effects of Xylazine can include drowsiness, reduced heart rate, hypothermia, coma, respiratory depression and dysrhythmia. The drug comes in powder or liquid form, and when mixed with other drugs, can cause individuals to develop severe soft tissue wounds which can lead to necrotic tissue and the possible need for amputation. Users are often referred to as “zombie” addicts as it is a horrific, flesh-eating drug combination, the release says.

Because Xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone (Narcan) will not reverse the risk of fatal overdoses. At this time, the FDA still recommends the use of Narcan for opioid overdoses; and, if a patient does not respond, healthcare professionals should provide appropriate supportive measures.

The Sheriff’s Office says its goal is to keep Xylazine out of Flathead County.

“School is out and tourists are in, and we need to get the message out with urgency… that to try is to die from this combo,” the release states.

In June, the Flathead County Sheriff's Office will kick off a marketing campaign aimed at informing the public about the dangers of Fentanyl and the deadly combination of Fentanyl (or any other opioid) and Xylazine. They will target social media as it is an expedited way to get the message out.