San Francisco officials are raising alarms about a new drug adulterant, Medetomidine, a potent veterinary tranquilizer, found in the opioid supply. The National Poisoning Surveillance System (NPSDiscovery) issued a public health alert nationwide on May 28 warning of the substance. Reports of overdoses involving Medetomidine, which is more potent than fentanyl, have been increasing on the East Coast, prompting San Francisco leaders to urge closer monitoring of the local drug supply. Supervisor Matt Dorsey has written a letter of inquiry to ensure the city is prepared for the potential influx of this dangerous drug. The Drug Market Agency Coordination Center (DMACC), established a year ago to combat open-air drug markets in San Francisco, has made significant strides, including the arrest of over 1,008 drug dealers and the seizure of 200 kilos of drugs. However, there is a growing concern that the new synthetic drug could exacerbate the city's drug crisis, particularly in the Tenderloin and South of Market neighborhoods. Public health officials emphasize the need for stringent measures to monitor and control the drug supply to prevent further overdose deaths.
Public health officials say drug gangs are mixing a dangerous new chemical sedative called #medetomidine into fentanyl and other drugs sold on the street. The combination has triggered a new wave of overdoses that began in late April and have accelerated. https://t.co/lrfKPRNtII
1,008 drug dealers were arrested in San Francisco last year. That's got to be a record. @SteveHiltonx @TheKevinDalton @DEAHQ https://t.co/NCHsZHOExZ
Law enforcement arrested more suspected drug users than suspected dealers in San Francisco in the year since the city launched coordinated efforts to dismantle open-air drug markets in the Tenderloin and South of Market neighborhoods, city leaders said. https://t.co/cThhnixDsp
Every day we don’t end the open air drug market, it will get harder to contain. A new drug, medetomidine, is being detected across the US, and could enter the SF drug market. It’s more potent than fentanyl. We need to close the drug market. We need to arrest opioid dealers. We… https://t.co/RqxEccKSN8
New synthetic drugs are making the drug supply more dangerous each year—thanks Supervisor @mattdorsey for working to make sure SF is ready. SF can’t control synthetic drugs, but officials can close the city’s open-air drug markets. It's the best way to reduce overdose deaths. https://t.co/63KGPn7rX6 https://t.co/tjjvrWMZN6
One year ago, I convened local, state and federal agencies to tackle true drug markets in our city. In just one year, the Drug Market Agency Coordination Center (DMACC) has made significant strides in combating open-air drug markets in San Francisco. With over 200 kilos of… https://t.co/6BhF2Zi45e
A new drug could be on the streets of San Francisco - Medetomidine, or fentanyl laced with animal tranquilizer. A supervisor is sounding the alarm, asking the city to test for the new opioid that is leading to hundreds of overdoses across the country. https://t.co/wW9BlO50LU https://t.co/8pOBdzr34P
As reports of overdoses involving a sedative often used by veterinarians rise on the East Coast, one San Francisco leader is urging the city to more closely monitor the local drug supply for its presence. https://t.co/UMi1FYaruX
Animal Sedative Linked to US Overdoses Spurs Call for More SF Drug Monitoring https://t.co/86yiN6yxTz
Last week, @NPSDiscovery issued a public health alert nationwide to warn of a dangerous new adulterant in the opioid drug supply — Medetomidine, a potent veterinary tranquilizer — and today my letter of inquiry seeks to ensure that San Francisco is prepared for it. (1/4) https://t.co/OK2OHoQxz8