The Indiana House of Representatives advanced State Rep. Jennifer Meltzer's bill classifying xylazine, an animal tranquilizer making its way into street drugs, as a controlled substance.
Under Meltzer's legislation, a prescription would be required to possess xylazine, a large animal sedative known as "tranq," or an individual could face criminal penalties.
"Xylazine is being mixed with illicit drugs like heroin, and users can experience horrible side effects and potentially long-lasting consequences," said Meltzer (R-Shelbyville), vice chair of the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee. "Our goal is to give law enforcement a new tool to get this drug off our streets and hold bad actors accountable while also protecting the drug's veterinary uses."
House Bill 1203 makes possession of xylazine a Class A misdemeanour or a Level 6 felony if the person has a prior unrelated conviction. Exceptions would include federally approved people who dispense, prescribe, or administer a drug containing xylazine, those who manufacture, distribute, or use xylazine as an active ingredient for animal drugs; licenced pharmacists and veterinarians; and other federally approved persons.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, xylazine is a central nervous system depressant that can cause drowsiness and amnesia, and slow breathing, heart rate and blood pressure to dangerously low levels. Repeated xylazine use is also associated with skin ulcers, abscesses and related complications. Since xylazine is not an opiate, overdose reversal medication like Narcan is less effective, increasing the chance of permanent injury or death.
Additionally, Meltzer co-authored a bill to legalize drug testing strips also advanced out of the House of Representatives. House Bill 1053 would remove the tests from being categorized as drug paraphernalia. For example, Meltzer said drug users could use the strips to test any substance for xylazine, fentanyl or other potentially fatal substances.
During the 2023 legislative session, Meltzer authored a new law that tasks coroners with testing for any trace of xylazine in suspected and known drug overdose deaths. This includes if the victim was resistant to reversal medications. She said the data gathered from these reports will help Indiana get a clearer picture of the drug's presence in the state and begin to form an action plan.
House Bill 1203 now heads to the Indiana Senate for consideration. To learn more about the bill and other legislation, visit iga.in.gov.
Lawrence County (ILL.) burn ban temporarily lifted
City of St. Francisville cracking down on junk in yards and alleys and tall grass
Two Lawrence County men in custody after burglary investigation
Bridgeport Police make arrest in school threat incident
City of Bridgeport continues bridge and infrastructure repairs
Gov. Braun extends tax filing deadline for Hoosiers impacted by August storms
Lawrence County issues burn ban
Lawrence County Veterans Commission moving forward
Governor Braun delivers another month of gas savings for Hoosier families
Find a cooling center near you with Indiana 211
LAFPD Trustee position open
Statewide standards for E-bikes, E-motos and other electric devices protect riders, pedestrians and motorists
Lawrenceville city election petitions now available
Puntney named as new chairman of LCMH Board
USDA offers disaster assistance to Ag producers in Indiana impacted by recent flooding
Two Lawrence County 4-H members are project state champions
Indiana man dies after weekend motorcycle accident; injuries reported in another in Lawrence County (Ill.)
Lawrence County man sentenced on federal meth charges
Heat Advisory in effect for southeastern Illinois
