The animal tranquilizer xylazine, also known as “tranq,” is finding its way into opioid supplies and wreaking havoc all over the country. It’s rotting people’s flesh, leading to amputations and complicating drug treatment. WSJ’s Julie Wernau takes us to Robeson County, N.C., the new “ground zero” for xylazine addiction.

Further Reading:

- Flesh-Rotting ‘Tranq’ Undermines Fight Against Fentanyl 

- Recovering From Drug Addiction Was Hard. Tranq Made It Worse. 

- Nurses Make House Calls to Treat ‘Tranq’ Wounds for Users at Society’s Edge 

Further Listening:

- Why Some Opioid Victims Are Challenging Purdue’s Settlement 

- How a Drug Maker Plans to Cut Off Money for Opioid Victims  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices