Xylazine Commission: First Meeting & Updates
- - the special Legislative Commission on Xylazine, co-chaired by state Sen.
- Velis, also the Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery, participated in negotiating the substance use disorder bill that established the commission.
- The commission's role is vital, velis said, as xylazine proliferation increases in the state's drug supply.
The massachusetts Xylazine Commission convened its first public meeting, taking decisive steps to combat the escalating threat of xylazine contamination in the state’s illicit drug supply. Spearheaded by state Sen. John Velis, the commission aims to study the issue and propose solutions, particularly crucial given that xylazine was detected in a record 34% of tested drug samples. The commission’s critical role is highlighted by the rising overdose deaths connected to the veterinary sedative, demanding immediate action. This follows the White House declaring fentanyl mixed with xylazine an emerging threat, amplifying the urgency. The commission heard from various experts, including public health officials and law enforcement, mapping strategies to combat contamination and conducting a public awareness campaign. Stay informed with News Directory 3 for ongoing updates. Discover what’s next …
Massachusetts Xylazine Commission Holds First Meeting
WESTFIELD,Mass. – the special Legislative Commission on Xylazine, co-chaired by state Sen. John Velis, convened its inaugural public meeting this week to address the growing public health and safety concerns related to xylazine contamination in illicit drugs. The commission aims to study the issue and propose solutions.
Velis, also the Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery, participated in negotiating the substance use disorder bill that established the commission.
The commission’s role is vital, velis said, as xylazine proliferation increases in the state’s drug supply. he noted that xylazine was detected in a record 34% of lab-tested samples last year and contributed to 9% of opioid-related overdose deaths in 2023. The Commonwealth must recognize these dangers, he said.
Velis said he has focused on drug supply contamination,notably xylazine,throughout his legislative tenure. This includes securing state budget funding for Tapestry Health to acquire a mass spectrometer for drug supply analysis and for the Department of Public Health to conduct a public awareness campaign on drug contamination.
During the meeting, the commission, composed of legislators, public health officials, and law enforcement, discussed its objectives before hearing from several speakers.
speakers included Deirdre Calvert from the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services; Traci Green from the Massachusetts Drug Supply Data Stream; sarah Wakeman from the Substance Use Disorder Initiative at Mass General Brigham; and Officer Heather Longley from the Northampton Police Department’s Drug Addiction Response Team.
Velis said the commission plans to continue holding public meetings to gather details on xylazine and explore strategies to combat the rising contamination, hearing from experts and affected individuals.
What’s next
The commission will continue to meet, gathering data and insights to formulate recommendations for addressing xylazine contamination in Massachusetts.