Western Wisconsin lawmakers are advancing a bill to legalize xylazine test strips.
Xylazine, commonly known as tranq, is an extremely potent veterinary tranquilizer.
Drugs laced with fentanyl and xylazine increase the risk of overdose. Health officials are concerned because while Narcan can reverse fentanyl overdoses, it does not work on xylazine.
That's why Coulee Region lawmakers behind the bill said in a recent public hearing that the time to act is now.
"It might seem like we're encouraging bad behaviors or minimizing consequences for illegal actions. The reality is this is a matter of life or death here. Our focus should be on keeping people alive first, and then helping them find the proper treatment after that," said Sen. Jesse James (R-Altoona).
La Crosse Assemblywoman Jill Billings (D) also testified at the public hearing, saying the bill is a "simple bill" that "will save lives." In an official statement released Friday, Billings wrote, "I am hopeful that this bill will move quickly to pass in the Legislature and arrive at the Governor’s desk for his signature.”
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services estimates that 5-6% of overdoses in Wisconsin involved xylazine.
La Crosse saw its first fatal overdose involving xylazine last October.
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