ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – A bill cosponsored by Congressman Josh Riley is advancing in Washington.
The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act passed in the U.S. House of Representatives last week.
The drug, also known as “tranq,” is a widely used veterinary tranquilizer that is being utilized as a cutting agent in fentanyl, and has become increasingly dangerous due to its availability.
“I’ve sat with too many parents in Upstate New York who lost a child to an overdose, and I will never forget their faces,” said Riley. “I’m doing everything in my power to end the scourge of fentanyl in our communities and crack down on substances like xylazine that make this crisis even more deadly. Our bipartisan bill will make sure law enforcement has the tools they need to stop xylazine traffickers and keep this dangerous drug off our streets.”
If it passes in the Senate, the bill will designate the drug as a schedule III illicit substance under the Controlled Substances Act, enable the DEA to track manufacturing, and preserve lawful use for veterinarians and farmers. It would additionally require a report on prevalence, risks, and recommendations regarding xylazine.
Read more from Riley’s Office here.
