Public Xylazine Awareness and Support for Policies and Initiatives to Address the Xylazine Threat Among US Adults.

OBJECTIVES

Xylazine, a nonopioid veterinary tranquilizer, is increasingly being added to the illicit opioid supply. When used by humans, xylazine can cause severe skin ulcers and extreme sedation. This study aimed to examine awareness of xylazine and support for policies/initiatives to address the xylazine threat among US adults.

METHODS

An AmeriSpeak survey with US nationally representative adults aged 18 and older was administered in March 2024. Survey questions assessed awareness of xylazine and potential xylazine use, drug/opioid use history, and support for 10 policies/initiatives to address the xylazine threat (including a range of drug checking initiatives, wound care initiatives, punitive policies, harm reduction policies, and xylazine education campaigns). We conducted weighted descriptive and regression analysis of survey data from a nationally representative sample of 1215 US adults.

RESULTS

Most respondents were not aware of xylazine (88%, n = 1063). Approximately 10% (n = 117) were aware of xylazine but had not used it, and around 2% (n = 23) were aware of xylazine and possibly had used it. On average, participants supported only 1.52 (SD = 2.41) of 10 listed policies/initiatives to address the xylazine threat. The number of policies/initiatives supported varied by xylazine awareness, gender, marital status, and drug use history.

CONCLUSIONS

Among the US public, xylazine awareness and support for policies/initiatives to address the xylazine threat are low. Public xylazine educational campaigns may be warranted to help the public understand the severity of the xylazine threat, garner support for associated policies/initiatives, and reduce xylazine-related harms.