The British government announced new legislation Tuesday that would ban the drug xylazine, commonly referred to as the “zombie drug,” along with 21 other harmful substances. As The Economic Times reported, the move is part of a broader effort to reduce drug-related deaths and clamp down on criminal gangs that profit from these dangerous drugs.

Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” is a potent animal sedative that has been increasingly misused in combination with opioids such as heroin or fentanyl. It often leaves long-term users in a semi-conscious state and is linked to severe skin lesions that do not heal. The UK Home Office has also found traces of xylazine in cannabis vapes, highlighting its growing presence in the illicit drug market.

According to researchers at King's College London, the drug has become “widespread” in the UK’s illegal drug scene. Other substances targeted by the new legislation include new variations of nitazenes, synthetic opioids that are hundreds of times stronger than heroin and have been linked to fatal overdoses.

Tougher Penalties For Drug Suppliers

Under the UK’s Misuse of Drugs Act, drugs are classified into three categories, with Class A being the most dangerous and subject to the most severe legal penalties. The new legislation will classify xylazine as a Class C drug. Those caught producing or supplying Class C substances can face an unlimited fine, up to 14 years in prison, or both.

The UK Home Office noted that countries like the United States, which have experienced a surge in xylazine misuse, have not yet introduced similar restrictions. In the U.S., overdose deaths involving xylazine rose by 30 times between 2018 and 2021.

Policing Minister Diana Johnson emphasized the urgency of the UK’s proactive approach. “We have seen what has happened in other countries when the use of these drugs is allowed to grow out of control,” she said. “This is why we are among the first countries to take action and protect our communities from these dangerous new drugs.”

Johnson also noted that the new measures will make it easier for law enforcement to target suppliers who attempt to bypass existing drug controls.

Cover image made with AI