The 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 levels of breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. The drug is often used in combination with other substances, particularly illicit fentanyl, which exacerbates the risk of life-threatening overdoses.

The resolution highlights the urgent need for the DOH to provide educational resources to inform the public about the risks of xylazine use, especially since naloxone, the standard treatment for opioid overdoses, is ineffective against xylazine overdoses. The growing prevalence of xylazine-related health threats necessitates immediate action to prevent further harm and fatalities associated with this drug. The resolution calls for the DOH to take appropriate steps to ensure that New Jersey residents are adequately informed about the dangers of xylazine as a recreational drug.