The Hardin County Sheriff's Office posted the following on Facebook on January 5, 2023 regarding a lethal drug mix found in Hardin County:

The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has warned the American public of a sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with Xylazine. Xylazine, also known as "Tranq" is a powerful sedative approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for veterinary use. Recent narcotics investigations by the Hardin County Sheriff's Office and the Hardin County Crime Task Force have revealed the presence of this deadly drug mix circulating within our county.

According to the DEA, Xylazine makes the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier. Xylazine and fentanyl place users at a higher risk of suffering fatal drug poisoning. Because Xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone (Narcan) does not reverse its effects. According to the DEA experts always recommend administering naloxone if someone might be at risk of suffering drug poisoning. People who inject drug mixtures containing Xylazine can also develop serious wounds, including necrosis - the rotting of human tissue - that may lead to amputation.

(Source: US Dept. of Justice; Drug Enforcement Administration; Public Safety Alert, “DEA Reports Widespread Threat of Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine”)