Animal Tranquilizer in Street Drugs Sparks Public Health Alert

A new synthetic drug, medetomidine, a dog tranquilizer, has been detected in Syracuse's street drug supply, mixed with fentanyl for a more dangerous high. This follows a recent alert for carfentanil in the area. Medetomidine, which has a significant impact on the central nervous system, has caused two non-fatal overdoses in Syracuse and has been found in other major cities. Unlike opioid overdoses, the effects of medetomidine are not reversible with Narcan.