Fentanyl crisis: Fatal overdoses spike in Stanislaus County. ‘Tranq’ is on the streets
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Fentanyl Crisis in Stanislaus County
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Stanislaus County reported what officials call a disturbing increase in overdose and poisoning deaths tied to the fentanyl crisis.
Tony Vartan, director of county Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, said the county through last week has recorded 129 overdose deaths this year, a 25% increase compared to the first nine months of 2022.
County officials tracking the opioid epidemic expect overdose deaths to exceed 200 this year, up from 176 in 2022. The county released a health alert last week citing the spike in suspected overdose deaths.
More than 60% of the overdose deaths have been due to illegal fentanyl sold by drug traffickers. The county Coroner’s Office has recorded 81 fentanyl deaths since Jan. 1. This year’s running total stood at 47 in July, indicating a recent spate of fentanyl fatalities.
Vartan said the numbers are preliminary as the county goes through a process of confirming overdose deaths.
Drug cartels are combining fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, with heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine. It’s also being put in counterfeit pills that resemble prescription drugs like Xanax, Oxycontin, Percocet and Adderall. Only about 2 milligrams of fentanyl may cause a fatal overdose.
In an email to The Modesto Bee, Vartan said the recent data puts the county on pace to exceed the overdose death tolls in 2022 and 2021. The county had 128 fentanyl deaths in 2022 after 97 were recorded in 2021 and 60 in 2020.
Tranq, in Stanislaus a couple of months, is bad all around
In another concerning development, Vartan said local drug treatment programs have anecdotal evidence and lab results showing that people are using “tranq” on the streets of Modesto and other cities. Tranq is fentanyl mixed with the veterinary medicine called xylazine.
When it’s injected, the illegal drug causes skin lesions and serious infections. Health experts say that naloxone, often distributed as Narcan nasal spray, is ineffective for people who overdose on xylazine.
Dr. Lyn Raible, who has worked in substance use treatment in Stanislaus County, said tranq has been available in the county for a couple of months.
“If the East Coast is any indication, and it almost always is, we haven’t seen the worst of tranq yet,” Raible said in a text. “That xylazine is being seen with increasing frequency in Stanislaus County is not surprising, but it is deeply concerning because it is even more dangerous than fentanyl.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, xylazine is an animal tranquilizer that can be life-threatening for people, and it’s especially dangerous when mixed with fentanyl.
Raible said trafficking of xylazine has been moving westward across the United States, multiplying the dangers of fentanyl by increasing overdose deaths and causing other health problems for users.
Experts believe there is no reversal agent for xylazine because it’s a tranquilizer, not an opioid. For those who overdose and stop breathing, the chances of survival are artificial respiration until the drug wears off, said Raible, a member of the county Opioid Safety Coalition.
Administering naloxone is still recommended for a suspected tranq-related overdose, because xylazine is often combined with opioids that do respond to Narcan, says the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
People injecting tranq often develop severe wounds that are difficult to treat, including skin necrosis or rotting tissue. Xylazine causes blood vessels to constrict and prevents antibodies and antibiotics from reaching the infections, Raible explained. The most severe cases may require amputation.
Parents advised to educate teenagers
The fentanyl crisis has created a dangerous landscape of recreational drug use for teenagers and younger adults.
County BHRS said parents play a pivotal role in preventing substance abuse and accidental overdoses among their children. They’re advised to engage in honest and non-judgmental conversations with their kids about the risks of drug use. Parents are advised to start early and maintain an ongoing dialogue with their kids.
Vartan advised county residents to educate themselves about fentanyl and other opioids and know the dangers and signs of addiction.
Residents can also join local initiatives and work with their neighbors to raise awareness and share information and learn how to administer naloxone.
Treatment options including counseling, therapy and medication-assisted treatment are available for residents who are struggling with substance use disorder.
Mental health and substance use disorder services are available in Stanislaus County by calling a toll-free line at 888-376-6246. The county Opioid Safety Coalition has a website (StanRx.net) with information on fentanyl and how to obtain naloxone, or call BHRS Prevention Services at 209-525-5316.
This story was originally published October 2, 2023 at 5:30 PM.
