Gov. Newsom Announces New Legislation to Prevent Illicit Use and Trafficking of Xylazine

SACRAMENTO — As part of the state’s plan to address the opioid and overdose epidemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom Nov. 28 announced proposed new legislation to increase penalties for the illicit trafficking of the drug xylazine, also known as  “tranq.” Xylazine – an animal tranquilizer with no approved human use – is increasingly being found in the illicit drug supply, and has been linked to rising overdose deaths across the country.

The legislation would make xylazine a controlled substance, but exempt legitimate veterinary use, making illicit trafficking of xylazine subject to increased criminal penalties while maintaining veterinarians’ access to the drug for approved use in animals.

Xylazine-related deaths are increasing drastically in every region in the nation, more than tripling from 2020 to 2021, with the northeast seeing deaths jump from 631 to 1,281, and the west seeing them jump from 4 to 34. Xylazine can cause severe wounds and necrosis and can lead to amputation. Xylazine alone is not an opioid, but it is often mixed with fentanyl. When a xylazine overdose is suspected, health experts recommend administering the opioid reversal agent naloxone. 

California K-12 Students To Learn Media Literacy

Beginning next year, California K-12 public school students will be required to learn media literacy to help them identify the differences between fake news posted online and legitimate news stories.

The bill is designed to help students develop these skills amid a rise in distrust in the media.

Signed into law by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in October, Bill No. 873 requires media literary content to be incorporated into the mathematics, science and history-social science curriculums.

The bill was introduced by Assemblymember Marc Berman, a Democrat representing San Mateo County in Northern California.