Survey findings reveal 70% of U.S. adults are not aware of Tranq/Tranq Dope or Xylazine
Are you aware that 6 out of 10 counterfeit pharmaceuticals contain a toxic or lethal drug dose? Concerningly, we find most people are. Drug overdose deaths continue to rise and are a major public health issue. Over a twelve-month period ending October 2022, there were more than 101,750 reported fatal overdoses, primarily driven by synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. In response to the state of the opioid crisis, the FDA recently approved over-the-counter access to Narcan, medication that rapidly reverses the effects of opioid overdose. The problem? The DEA also recently issued a public safety alert informing the public of the dangers of xylazine, also known as “tranq,” an animal tranquilizer becoming frequently found trafficked with fentanyl. In fact, the DEA has reported seizing xylazine and fentanyl mixtures in 48 of 50 states, confirming xylazine is a widespread threat, as it is being found in 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills. Since xylazine is not an opioid, it’s resistant to Narcan, meaning this life-saving medication may not reverse overdose effects.
Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are deliberately intended to be indistinguishable from real medication. Only proper testing using highly sophisticated scientific instrumentation can tell the difference between a counterfeit and a real medication. Unless you’re obtaining prescription medication from a pharmacy, there is a chance the pills could contain harmful or lethal doses of fentanyl or xylazine, also referred to as a “zombie drug” because of its lasting effects that induce a catatonic-like state. Knowledge and awareness at this stage are critical. Equipping first responders with the tools to identify an unknown substance will be more important than ever. Information is actionable and allows responders to take correct and appropriate action. Our first responders need more than equipment, they need help driving public awareness about the risks fentanyl and xylazine pose, as well as where Narcan can be obtained. These are necessary community interactions we all must take in order to mitigate the impact of the opioid epidemic on society. To help, we set out to better understand the narrative that drives public perception.
In an attempt to better analyze the public perception of xylazine and synthetic opioids, we surveyed 1,000 U.S. consumers to gauge how informed they are. What we learned is this is not a traditional addiction issue. We compiled our key findings and here’s what we discovered:
Most people are unaware of Xylazine
Over three-quarters (80%) of survey respondents said they did not know that because xylazine is a sedative and not an opioid, it resists standard opioid overdose reversal treatments.
Many U.S. adults are familiar with prescription misuse
According to the survey, 42% of U.S. adults said that either themselves or family/friends had used prescription drugs that were not prescribed to them. While over a third (39%) of respondents think that it’s not difficult to acquire prescription medications that were not prescribed to them.
Limited awareness of Narcan and where to access it
Over half (58%) of survey respondents said that they have no idea where to get or who carries Narcan or Naloxone, while only a quarter (25%) of respondents said they know where to get or carry Narcan/Naloxone. Millennials and Gen Z account for over half (53%) of U.S. adults who said they have no idea where to get Narcan or Naloxone. This is an educational service many colleges should be really focusing on.
There’s power in driving awareness through digital platforms
Nearly half (45%) of Gen Z respondents said they learned about the fentanyl crisis through social media, which is an interesting finding since, according to the DEA, criminal drugs networks started to leverage social media platforms in order to expand their reach, enter new markets, and target a new group of potential users. This is an important opportunity for educational organizations to reach Gen Z where they’re receiving their news in order to create better awareness of these threats and counteract harmful messaging.
Consumers, regardless of varying demographics, are at risk
There is little to no statistical difference in knowing someone who has used a prescription drug not prescribed to them or may be addicted to prescription medications across all income levels, education levels, employment levels, and regions. Other demographic findings include:
- 31% of people who said they had used prescription drugs that were not prescribed to them are Millennials, and 23% are Gen Z
- 43% of people who said it is not difficult to acquire prescription medications not prescribed to them live in the Midwest
- 69% of respondents who said they did now know that because xylazine is a sedative and not an opioid, it resists standard opioid overdose reversal treatments, are Gen Z, and 72% are Millennials
- 80% of respondents of Hispanic/Latino origin said they did not know that because xylazine is a sedative and not an opioid, it resists standard opioid overdose reversal treatments like Narcan or Naloxone
- Yes, myself – 21%
- Yes, friends – 11%
- Yes, family member(s) – 9%
- Not applicable – 59%
- Yes, myself – 8%
- Yes, friends – 12%
- Yes, family member(s) – 9%
- Not applicable – 71%
- Very difficult – 13%
- Somewhat difficult – 31%
- Not difficult – 38%
- It is too easy -18%
- Yes, I’m aware – 64%
- I am somewhat aware – 20%
- I think I have heard about it – 10%
- No, I am not aware of fentanyl – 6%
- News (broadcast, newspaper) – 60%
- Social Media – 24%
- School/College/University – 4%
- Government Bodies (DEA, FDA, etc.) – 4%
- I have not learned anything about the fentanyl crisis – 7%
- Yes, but I am not sure I believe it – 8%
- Yes, I have heard this and I believe it – 40%
- No, but this is not surprising to me – 37%
- No, this is surprising news to me – 15%
- Yes, I’ve heard of Tranq/Tranq Dope – 12%
- Yes, I’ve heard of xylazine – 8%
- Yes, I have heard of both – 9%
- No, I haven’t heard of either – 72%
- Yes, myself – 4%
- Yes, friends – 8%
- Yes, family member(s) – 4%
- Not applicable – 85%
- Yes, I carry or have access to Narcan / Naloxone – 9%
- Yes, I know where to go or who to talk to about getting Narcan / Naloxone – 16%
- Maybe, I think I know where to get Narcan / Naloxone – 16%
- No, I have no idea where to get it or who carries it – 58%
- Yes – 20%
- No – 80%
Due to the high level of sensitivity, the MX908 can see through bulk cutting agents and identify controlled substances like fentanyl and its analogs or xylazine. To learn more about the MX908 and how it compares to bulk technologies when it comes to identifying street fentanyl, check out this case study.
Interested in learning more? Take a look at the findings below!
A Deeper Dive into the Data:
Q1 Have you or someone close to you (family, friends, colleagues, etc.) used prescription drugs (Xanax, Percocet, Oxycontin, Vicodin, etc.) that were not prescribed to you or them?
Q2 Do you or do you suspect someone close to you (family, friends, colleagues, etc.) may be addicted to prescribed medications?
Q3 How difficult do you think it is for people to acquire prescription medications not prescribed to them?
Q4 Are you aware that fentanyl is a highly dangerous drug found in 6 out of 10 counterfeit pills?
Q5 Where have you learned about the fentanyl crisis?
Q6 Did you know that Gen Z (born 1997-2013) represents the age group with the fastest growing rate of overdose deaths due to fentanyl – 79% of all overdose deaths?
Q7 Have you heard of Tranq/Tranq Dope or Xylazine before?
Q8 Do you know of anyone who may use any recreational drug that could contain Xylazine?
Q9 Do you know how or where to get Narcan or Naloxone in case of accidental overdose due to fentanyl?
Q10 Did you know that because xylazine is a sedative and not an opioid, it resists standard opioid overdose reversal treatments like Narcan or Naloxone?