NEWS RELEASE: Senator Moody Fights Spread of Deadly Xylazine

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Senator Ashley Moody is cosponsoring the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act to fight the spread of the deadly substance. Xylazine is a tranquilizer mainly used for veterinary purposes, but is also the top adulterant found in fentanyl powder. The bill would classify xylazine as Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, while protecting its legitimate use in large animal veterinary medicine. As Florida's former Attorney General, Senator Moody urged Congress to pass a previous version of the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act in 2023.

Senator Ashley Moody said, "As the former Florida Attorney General, I was one of the first to warn Floridians about the dangers of xylazine-a dangerous substance intended for veterinary use for large animals, that is being found mixed in with illicit fentanyl powder. I'm proud to continue this fight in the U.S. Senate by cosponsoring the Combatting Xylazine Act to keep Floridians safe."

In 2023, 30% of the fentanyl powder seized by DEA contained xylazine, up from 25% in 2022. Since 2020, DEA laboratory system analysis shows a 5-fold increase in the presence of xylazine in fentanyl tablet samples and a 3-fold increase of xylazine in fentanyl powder samples. As of October, 30, 2024, reporting of xylazine in DEA analyzed evidence has been seen in 49 of 50 states.

Xylazine users are known to develop wounds at the point of injection, including necrosis-the rotting of human tissue may require a limb to be amputated.

Specifically, the Combatting Illicit Xylazine Act would:

• Classify xylazine as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act;
• Enable the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to track xylazine's manufacturing;
• Require a report on prevalence, risks and recommendations to best regulate xylazine; and
• Ensure veterinarians, farmers and ranchers can still use xylazine for its intended purpose - to treat large animals - by clearly defining "ultimate user" as someone lawfully permitted to possess a controlled substance for legitimate use.

Full bill text here.

Senator Moody has long been committed to fighting the spread of xylazine. Serving as Florida's Attorney General, Senator Moody issued warnings about xylazine-also known as tranq-ahead of a busy spring break season. In 2023, Senator Moody-as former Attorney General-also called for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to add xylazine to the federal list of controlled substances.

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