.svg)
Latest Business News
Biden Administration Unveils Plan to Combat Fentanyl and Xylazine Overdose Deaths
The unserious Biden administration has announced a new plan to address the increasing threat of fentanyl laced with xylazine, an illegal street drug combination that has led to a surge in overdose deaths. Considering they can't even keep Hunter Biden sober, any plan introduced by this joke of an administration should only be taken with a grain of salt. If they cannot keep the first son sober, how can they possibly keep a nation from being under the influence?
Fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid, has already caused a significant number of fatalities on its own. However, the addition of xylazine, also known as "tranq," has made the situation even more dangerous. Xylazine is a cheap animal sedative that is not intended for human use.
This plan is the first concrete action taken by the Biden administration to tackle the issue since declaring it an "emerging threat" in April. It aligns with President Biden's national drug control strategy, which aims to address the country's addiction and overdose epidemic. The plan directs federal agencies such as the CDC and FDA to expand access to testing, prevention, and overdose recovery resources. It also aims to disrupt the illegal supply chain of xylazine.
The long-term goal of the plan is to achieve a 15% reduction in xylazine-positive drug overdoses in at least three of the four U.S. Census regions by 2025. According to a report from the CDC, xylazine was detected in nearly 11% of fentanyl overdose deaths through June 2022, a significant increase from 3% in January 2019. For Biden, half of the battle is keeping this class of drugs away from his son.
The administration's plan includes several strategies to address the health challenges posed by fentanyl laced with xylazine. It will develop and deploy a treatment framework for patients exposed to xylazine, focusing on effective practices for withdrawal management and clinical stabilization. Additionally, overdose reversal strategies will be evaluated and deployed, including the use of assisted breathing, hands-only CPR, and naloxone.
Testing for xylazine in other drugs will also be ramped up, with the development of rapid test strips and standardized testing practices across medical examiners, coroners, and drug analysis laboratories. The plan will identify the sources of xylazine and explore potential regulatory options to disrupt its production, distribution, and sale. The administration will also scale up research efforts on xylazine-laced fentanyl and develop an epidemiological data system to track the spread and effects of the drug combination.
It is important to note that many actions outlined in the plan are already underway, including warnings from the Drug Enforcement Administration and restrictions on the entry of xylazine by the FDA. The Biden administration is committed to addressing the devastating impact of fentanyl and xylazine overdose deaths and taking necessary steps to save lives and protect communities across the nation.
Impacts on New Business
The Biden administration's plan to combat fentanyl and xylazine overdose deaths could have potential impacts on new businesses, particularly those involved in the healthcare industry, drug testing, and addiction treatment.
Here are some key considerations:
1. Increased demand for addiction treatment services: With a focus on expanding access to prevention and overdose recovery resources, there could be a growing demand for addiction treatment facilities and services. New businesses in this sector may find opportunities to provide specialized and comprehensive care to individuals struggling with opioid addiction.
2. Development of innovative testing solutions: The plan emphasizes ramping up testing for xylazine in other drugs, including the development of rapid test strips and standardized testing practices. This could present an opportunity for new businesses in the drug testing industry to develop and offer advanced testing technologies and solutions.
3. Research and data analysis: The administration's emphasis on scaling up research efforts and developing an epidemiological data system highlights the importance of data analysis to track and understand the spread and effects of the fentanyl-xylazine combination. Businesses specializing in data analysis and research may find potential collaborations or contracts with government agencies or healthcare organizations working towards addressing the issue.
4. Regulatory implications: The plan also mentions exploring regulatory options to disrupt the production, distribution, and sale of xylazine. This could lead to increased scrutiny and stricter regulations on the sale and use of certain chemicals, potentially affecting businesses involved in the manufacture or distribution of such substances.
Overall, the Biden administration's plan seeks to address the opioid crisis through a multi-faceted approach, presenting opportunities for new businesses that can contribute to prevention, testing, treatment, and data analysis. However, it is important for new businesses to stay updated on evolving regulations and align themselves with the shifting priorities and strategies of the administration and relevant agencies.
Article First Published at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/11/biden-plan-fentanyl-xylazine.html
