In this Bell Work Talk, Dr. Neville and Julia Bonfim discuss the emergent public health threat regarding the infiltration of the adulterant xylazine in illicit drugs. A brief overview of the opioid epidemic worsened by fentanyl will be discussed and the impact of the adulterant xylazine will be presented. The historical development of xylazine use, identification of potential xylazine use and implications for nursing practice will be presented.

Kathleen Neville is associate dean for graduate studies and research at Seton Hall University College of Nursing in Nutley, New Jersey, and principal investigator of two Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants, the Seton Hall University and Hackensack School of Medicine Expanded Interprofessional Medication-Assistant Treatment Training Program. This grant is designed to train medical, nurse practitioner and physician assistant students to provide medication assisted treatment to individuals with opioid use disorders.

Julia Bonfim is the project coordinator overseeing the grant to train nurse practitioners and physician assistant students at Seton Hall University and Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey, and medical students at the Hackensack School of Medicine in Nutley, New Jersey, to treat individuals with opioid use disorders.

Resources:

Manuscript: Infiltration of xylazine in illicit fentanyl, By Kathleen Neville, PhD, RN, FAAN and Julia Bonfim, MPA, published in American Nurse Journal. 2023; 18(11). Doi: 10.51256/ANJ112340, © 2023 HealthCom Media. All rights reserved. Link to manuscript: https://www.myamericannurse.com/infiltration-of-xylazine-in-illicit-fentanyl/