Xylazine detected in unregulated opioids and drug administration equipment in Toronto, Canada: clinical and social implications

Abstract

We present the first detection of xylazine in Toronto, North America's fourth-largest metropolitan area. The increased risk of overdose associated with use of xylazine and its detection within our setting highlights the importance of drug checking services in supporting rapid responses to the emergence of potentially harmful adulterants. These data also highlight the clinical challenges presented by the dynamic nature of unregulated drug markets and the concomitant need to establish regulatory structures to reduce their contribution to overdose morbidity and mortality.