The DEA’s October Report

The DEA’s October 2024 Report – What You Need to Know About New Additives in Illicit Drugs
The latest DEA STREET Report (October 2024) has highlighted an emerging trend that could pose serious risks: two veterinary drugs, medetomidine, and dexmedetomidine, are increasingly showing up in illicit drug mixtures. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know and why it matters.

1. What Are Medetomidine and Dexmedetomidine?
   Medetomidine and dexmedetomidine are drugs originally used for pain relief and sedation in veterinary care and occasionally in human medicine. They have calming effects on the body by targeting non-opioid receptors. Now, however, these substances are being found in dangerous combinations with street drugs, especially opioids, as alternatives to xylazine—another veterinary drug that’s already widespread in the illicit market.
2. Why These Drugs Are Being Used
   The primary reason for their rising popularity among illegal manufacturers is their similarity to xylazine. If xylazine becomes a controlled substance, medetomidine and dexmedetomidine could easily take its place as readily available, non-opioid sedatives that enhance the effects of other drugs. Essentially, these drugs offer illegal producers a way to intensify drug effects without facing the restrictions that might soon apply to xylazine.
3. Alarming Increase in Submissions
   The report indicates a significant rise in drug samples containing these two substances. Just a few years ago, these drugs were almost never found in street drug samples, but by 2024, labs are reporting hundreds of cases. This trend might reflect better testing, but it could also indicate a real rise in their use as additives, especially in fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine mixtures.
4. Accessibility and Availability
   Medetomidine and dexmedetomidine are not hard to obtain. Both drugs are readily available from suppliers in countries like China and India at prices similar to xylazine, making them attractive options for misuse. In fact, the United States is one of the largest importers of these drugs, meaning they are close at hand for those seeking new ways to modify street drugs.
5. Public Health and Safety Risks
   These substances have been detected alongside highly dangerous drugs like fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin, leading to increased overdose risks. Combined with opioids, medetomidine, and dexmedetomidine amplify the sedative effects, which could result in respiratory depression, unconsciousness, or death. In response to this, the DEA is ramping up awareness with campaigns like “One Pill Can Kill” to educate the public on these growing dangers.
6. The Potential for Wider Spread if Regulations Change
   If xylazine is scheduled as a controlled substance, the DEA anticipates medetomidine and dexmedetomidine could see even wider misuse. This could complicate efforts to address the opioid crisis and add yet another layer of risk for individuals using counterfeit or contaminated drugs.

What This Means for You
As we face an evolving drug landscape, public health campaigns, including those by our PAUSE4Life Program, will be crucial to help communities understand these changes. This information is a reminder of why drug awareness and education are essential. It’s not just about fentanyl; it’s about the increasingly complex mixtures of synthetic substances that can cause life-threatening harm without warning.

For everyone involved—parents, educators, and community leaders—staying informed is the best way to combat these hidden dangers. The risks are real, and awareness is our first line of defense.

Let’s continue to spread the word, educate others, and protect our communities.

Source: United States Drug Enforcement Administration DEA.gov is an official site of the U.S. Department of Justice