Governor Evers Signs Bill Decriminalizing Xylazine Testing Strips

Thursday, March 28th, 2024 -- 12:01 PM

(Natalie Eilbert, Green Bay Press-Gazette) In a move that mirrors fentanyl testing strip distribution two years ago, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill into law Tuesday that would decriminalize the use of xylazine testing strips.

According to Natalie Eilbert with the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Xylazine, better known as "tranq," has been sweeping through other parts of the country and, in barely two years, was responsible for more than 5% of all overdose deaths in Wisconsin.

Xylazine is often found as part of a drug cocktail that includes fentanyl and its purpose is to prolong the euphoria associated with opioids. But unlike opioids, neither Narcan nor naloxone can reverse the effects of a xylazine overdose, "making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier," said Anne Milgram, administrator of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, in a public safety alert.

Although it's not considered a controlled substance at the state or federal level, the “Combating Illicit Xylazine Act" in Congress would add xylazine to this tier, and bring with it criminal penalties, if enacted.

Ahead of that action, the Wisconsin law pushed to legalize the use of xylazine testing strips, which test drugs for the presence of xylazine.

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