Tranq

Illegal supplies of fentanyl are being cut with xylazine, a powerful horse tranquilizer. Overdoses involving this veterinary sedative are growing nationally and now Florida officials are tracking the deaths.

Whether xylazine is leading to more deaths — as suggested by officials in Washington — is not yet clear. In fact, some early data suggests the drug may inadvertently be diluting the effects of fentanyl.

Xylazine is already a schedule I controlled substance in Florida, meaning it is a crime to possess it or sell it in the state. Attorney General Ashley Moody has urged the DEA to add it to the controlled substances list.