With Monday's vote of approval by the Indiana Senate, State Rep. Jennifer Meltzer's legislation to begin screening for an animal tranquilizer in overdose deaths is now headed to the governor where it could be signed into law.

Meltzer (R-Shelbyville) said xylazine, also known as the street drug "tranq," is used as a veterinary sedative for livestock and it's been linked to a growing number of overdose deaths throughout the United States. In fact, the Drug Enforcement Agency reports that xylazine-positive overdose deaths in the Midwest increased by more than 500% from 2020 to 2021.

She said the dangerous substance is being mixed with drugs like fentanyl and other opiates, and because xylazine is not an opioid, overdose reversal medications like Naloxone and Narcan are less effective.

"This substance has already been found in Shelby County, and the more data we see shows that it's a growing problem nationally," Meltzer said. "By gathering more data, we can better determine the prevalence of xylazine and take action."  

Her legislation, unanimously supported at every point in the process, would task coroners with testing for any trace of xylazine in drug overdose deaths, including if the victim was resistant to drug overdose reversal medication. She said this extra step would provide the state with vital data that could be used to form an action plan.

To learn more about House Enrolled Act 1286, which is Meltzer's first bill as a state legislator, visit iga.in.gov. The bill now moves to the governor's desk to be considered as a new law, visit in.gov/gov/newsroom/2023-bill-watch/.