Health & Fitness
Officials: Veterinary Tranquilizer Identified In San Francisco Overdose Victims
Public health officials revealed Thursday that xylazine has been discovered in the bloodstreams of four fatal fentanyl overdose victims.
![](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23493685/20230307/023747/styles/patch_image/public/f67dbea55c9024ebb5ee770fc383e859-1___07143740454.jpg)
March 7, 2023
SAN FRANCISCO -- Public health officials revealed Thursday that xylazine, a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer, has been discovered in the bloodstreams of four fatal fentanyl overdose victims.
Find out what's happening in San Franciscowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
While xylazine has been circulating in the illicit drug supply on the East Coast for several years, health officials said it was the first time its presence has been detected in San Francisco.
"Identifying xylazine in San Francisco is concerning," health officials said in a news release. "To date, SFDPH has not received any reports of skin wounds associated with xylazine, nor xylazine intoxication or withdrawal."
Find out what's happening in San Franciscowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Click https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfra... for a CBS News video report.
CBS Local Digital Media personalizes the global reach of CBS-owned and operated television and radio stations with a local perspective.