By Miriam Raftery

August 11, 2023 (San Diego) – Five overdose deaths in San Diego County have been linked to a large animal tranquilizer, Xylazine, known on the streets as Tranq, according to Councilmember Marni Von Wilpert. The drug can cause flesh to rot and in extreme cases, amputation of limbs. It is being laced into street drugs including fentanyl, methamphetamines and heroin, so users are often unaware that they’re consuming Xylazine.

Narcan does not work to reverse a Xylazine overdose because Xylazine is not a narcotic.

By Miriam Raftery

August 27, 2022 (San Diego) -- On August 16, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department announced a series of changes aimed at keeping deadly fentanyl and other drugs out of jails to prevent inmate deaths. The action followed a unanimous vote by County Supervisors the same day to approve funds aimed at reducing jail deaths including purchasing body scanners, staff incentives, wellness teams and access to Naloxone to save inmates who overdosed.  

East County News Service

August 20, 2021 (San Diego) – Fentanyl is deadly. Just a few grains can kill, and hundreds of people in San Diego are dying each year.  So District Attorney Summer Stephan invites the public to a day of action to STOP Fentanyl overdoses and save lives.