Webinar: Beyond the Alerts: Practical Guidance for Responding to Xylazine

The NASTAD Drug User Health team and partners held the Beyond the Alerts: Practical Guidance for Responding to Xylazine webinar on Tuesday, February 21, 3:00-4:30 PM EST to discuss field-based observations and practices when working with people experiencing health problems related to xylazine presence in the drug supply.

Jurisdictions are reporting the increased use of the veterinary sedative, xylazine, as an adulterant in the illicit drug supply. Although first documented in the early 2000s in Puerto Rico and Philadelphia, little guidance exists on how to best respond to related health risks. This webinar focused on working with people who have xylazine-related wounds, responding to overdoses involving xylazine, and managing withdrawal. Information shared may be useful for any individuals who are using drugs that may be adulterated with xylazine or for programs that want to share guidance with their direct service staff.

The webinar was moderated by Alice Bell, L.C.S.W., the Project Coordinator for Prevention Point Pittsburgh’s Overdose Prevention Project and a co-facilitator of the Opiate Safety and Naloxone Network. The webinar featured Jason Beinert, a registered nurse in Maryland who has been working with people impacted by xylazine in inpatient critical care, outpatient, and community-based settings. Jason’s work in wound care has focused on teaching people how to best care for xylazine-related wounds. Jason shared his observations and what he has learned and been taught by the people he serves. 

Please contact Billy Golden or Drug User Health Team for further questions.