HSE concerned lethal 'zombie drug' could be on its way to Ireland

In Britain, xylazine is being located in counterfeit prescription drugs like codeine, Xanax, Valium and vapes which contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. A national clinical lead with addiction services at the HSE has said: 'If it appears in the UK, we often seen it appear in Ireland.' File picture

The HSE has admitted it is concerned over a new opioid appearing on the Irish market which has killed thousands of people in the US.

Xylazine has been labelled an “emerging threat to the nation” by president Joe Biden’s administration in 2023.