Trending Topics

Hawaii first responders warned after ‘tranq’ found at overdose calls

Honolulu EMS warns personnel to be on the lookout for signs of xylazine

VideoScreenshot.jpg

Hawaii News Now/YouTube

By Bill Carey
EMS1

HONOLULU — Honolulu EMS is warning its personnel about the veterinary sedative and pain reliever xylazine found at overdose scenes on Oahu.

Medical Director Dr. Sean Covant stated in a memo that they have “begun to see overdose cases involving xylazine in Honolulu,” Hawaii News Now reported.

Honolulu EMS Director Dr. Jim Ireland said the mixing of xylazine, or “tranq,” and fentanyl is a dangerous trend, because Narcan, the antidote for fentanyl and other opioid overdoses, does not work on xylazine.

A horrible side effect of taking the veterinary drug is that users develop large, deep-skin wounds that can lead to amputation.

RELATED: White House warning: What you need to know about xylazine

WHAT TO READ NEXT
The pilot program that launched Health 99 has seen patients overdosing multiple times due to a lack of treatment options
Learn how the Philadelphia Fire Department redefined service delivery, funding and success
The number of people who died of overdoses in Denver public spaces more than tripled between 2018 and 2022, data shows
Three other children exhibited symptoms of opioid intoxication and were treated with Narcan by first responders on scene