August 7th, 2024 by WCBC Radio
Data collected by the Pennsylvania Department of Health shows a 50% increase in xylazine-related overdose deaths between 2022 and 2023. Xylazine is increasingly found in opioids and can cause harmful skin lesions. Medical and harm reduction organizations across the Commonwealth have now received 50,000 xylazine wound kits to distribute to patients. Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen says xylazine causes more severe skin wounds than other drugs and requires quick action…