Dangerous drug combo raises alarm in Southwest Missouri

CARTHAGE, Mo. — There's a new and alarming trend in illegal drugs that's starting to show up in Jasper County.

"Xylazine is the formal name of it. It's a medication used by veterinarians most frequently. It's something that's typically not sold over the counter. However, that doesn't mean that it doesn't find its way into the illicit market," said Jasper Co. Sheriff Randee Kaiser.

In some cases, xylazine is mixed with fentanyl, known on the street as "tranq dope."

"It's supposed to create a better high, but the dangers of this is astronomical in terms of overdose deaths and that kind of thing," said Kaiser.

Xylazine is a tranquilizer used by veterinarians.

When it's combined with fentanyl, it can impair the use of Narcan to help revive an overdose patient.

"Fentanyl, you know, you can help somebody who's overdosed using Narcan, kind of reverses the effects of it. However, with xylazine, that is not the case, and so it makes it even, you know, more dangerous if you can be more dangerous using illegal drugs. This makes it even more so," said Kaiser.

The Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team is starting to see tranq dope in its southwest Missouri drug busts.

"Has made a bust of about 40 grams of fentanyl that's been laced with this tranq dope, with this xylazine. Um, it is very concerning because a lot of times, individuals that are using illegal narcotics may ingest this and not even know that it's in there," said Kaiser.

The Jasper County sheriff estimates overdose deaths are over 100, potentially 150, in 2024 - and says this new drug and its resistance to Narcan could mean that number continues to grow.