Philly sees 7% drop in opioid-related deaths

Philadelphia's opioid crisis is evolving, with a reported 7% drop in fatal overdoses in 2023, though over 1,100 residents still died from opioid use. Fentanyl remains the primary substance involved in these deaths. New findings show that over 90% of street heroin and fentanyl now contain xylazine, an animal tranquilizer causing severe tissue damage. Emergency room staff are adapting treatment protocols to address these complex wounds. Additionally, a new approach to managing withdrawal symptoms from fentanyl and xylazine has reduced early hospital discharges from nearly 10% to under 4%. Researchers have also detected a new industrial chemical, BTMPS, in fentanyl samples, raising health concerns.