The Senate Resolution urges the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) to enhance public awareness regarding the dangers associated with xylazine, a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer that has emerged as a concerning street drug, commonly referred to as Tranq or the Zombie Drug. Xylazine is not approved for human use and has been linked to a rising number of overdose deaths in New Jersey and neighboring states. As a central nervous system depressant, it can lead to severe health issues, including drowsiness, amnesia, and dangerously low vital signs. The resolution highlights the alarming trend of xylazine being used in combination with other drugs, particularly illicit fentanyl, which exacerbates the risk of life-threatening overdoses.

The resolution calls for the DOH to take proactive measures to educate the public about the risks of xylazine use, emphasizing that naloxone, the standard antidote for opioid overdoses, is ineffective against xylazine-related overdoses. It also notes that the full extent of xylazine-related overdose deaths is still being assessed, but the drug's impact has been notably severe in the Northeast. By providing appropriate educational resources, the DOH can help mitigate the public health threat posed by xylazine and inform New Jerseyans about the potential dangers of this drug.