Video clips circulating on social media in recent days have captured young people in some American streets swaying in their movements, unresponsive to their surroundings, and moving aimlessly, raising many questions about the cause of this behavior.
American media reports indicate that this phenomenon is related to a new drug spreading in the streets of certain U.S. states, which lowers the heart rate of its users and poses a danger to themselves and others, and can sometimes lead to death.
The widely circulated reports describe the drug as "tranq" or "zombie drug," which is a combination of xylazine, typically used to sedate large animals like horses, and fentanyl, one of the most dangerous types of drugs.
Experts confirmed that this combination can be lethal, turning the user into what resembles a "living dead zombie." Symptoms begin with difficulty breathing and cessation of blood supply, potentially leading to skin necrosis, with some cases requiring amputation.
Experts explained that xylazine provides a euphoric feeling that lasts longer compared to other opioids, indicating that it offers a "sedative sensation."
Texas has reported at least four deaths attributed to the "zombie drug" so far, and the Drug Enforcement Administration has warned Texas residents about the drug's spread in the black market, urging caution.
As a precautionary measure, mobile medical units equipped with nurses have been deployed in several cities to assist those suffering from the horrific side effects of this drug, especially as regulatory bodies noted that it has been found in 48 out of 50 states.
