Officials say new threats are emerging in the war on opioids, and they need to develop new ways to combat them.
There is a new illegal drug threat on the streets -- one first responders were not prepared for. State leaders including Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., met at Brown University's School of Public Health Thursday morning to discuss a new illegal drug that does not have a quick antidote.
"We were worried about fentanyl. We were worried about this. Now we have 'tranq' to confront, the good news is that the Brown team is on it," said Reed.
Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer called "tranq" and "zombie drug." It is not believed to be an opioid and has been added to fentanyl to "devastating effect." Brown University School of Public Health Dean Dr. Megan Ranney shared results they have found through Test RI.