COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Environmental Control is closely following regulations around a dangerous drug known as 'tranq'.
Ashley Bodiford is the director of prevention at LRADAC, a drug treatment facility in Columbia. She says the drug Xylazine, also known as 'tranq' is growing in popularity nationally, and here locally in the Midlands.
"Xylazine is a nonopioid veterinary anesthetic. Basically, a tranquilizer that is used for large animals and not for human use or conception of anything in that capacity." She adds, "Often times we're seeing it being cut or manufactured into other substances like fentanyl or cocaine."
The drug's original purpose is for animals, however, Xylazine currently doesn't have any reversal drugs available to the public.
"We've seen some success and benefit with people having Narcan and Naloxone on hand to reverse an opioid overdose, if Xylazine is introduced, that can't be reversed." Narcan does not work on Xylazine.
On Wednesday the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control discussed the possibility of changing the classification of the drug to a Schedule III substance in the state.
A schedule III drugs have a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.
The board decided to defer the vote, saying legislatures in the state are making efforts to change the classification in the 2024 legislative session.
Board Chairwoman, Seema Shrivastava-Patel said, "We need to do the right thing to protect South Carolinians especially since we're in charge of public health. But we've been asked by certain legislatures to kick it their way and give them the opportunity to take this up."
Bodifore says she's hoping more conversations like this will help aid the epidemic of drug addiction.
She says, "We certainly support anything that can keep our communities safe."