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Modeling Changes of Fatal Xylazine-Involved Drug Overdoses in Connecticut Across Time
Antoinette V Thuillier1, Yong Qiao2,3, Zhao H Wu2,4
1Department of Public Health, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.
Substance Use & Misuse
|September 17, 2024
Summary
Fatal drug overdoses involving xylazine (a veterinary tranquilizer) and fentanyl have increased in Connecticut. These deaths, particularly xylazine-fentanyl overdoses, disproportionately affected Hispanic populations and involved multiple substances.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Toxicology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Fatal drug overdoses are a growing concern, with a noted increase in involvement of both xylazine and fentanyl.
- Xylazine, a non-opioid veterinary medicine, is increasingly implicated in fatal overdose cases.
- Understanding the trends and demographics of xylazine-involved overdose deaths is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model changes in fatal xylazine-involved drug overdose deaths in Connecticut between 2019 and 2023.
- To analyze trends in xylazine-fentanyl overdose mortality rates.
- To identify demographic and geographic disparities in xylazine-involved overdose fatalities.
Main Methods:
- Utilized overdose death data from the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (2019-2023).
- Calculated annual xylazine-involved overdose fatality rates per 100,000 population.
- Employed joinpoint regression modeling to assess quarterly trends in overdose rates, considering age, number of co-involved drugs, and drug types.
Main Results:
- A total of 1116 xylazine-involved fatal overdoses were recorded from 2019 to 2023, with a cumulative rate of 31.3 deaths per 100,000.
- Xylazine-involved overdose death rates were significantly higher among Hispanic populations compared to non-Hispanic White and Black populations.
- Quarterly xylazine-fentanyl mortality rates significantly increased by 0.18 per 100,000 from 2019 to 2022, often involving multiple substances.
Conclusions:
- Xylazine-fentanyl overdose deaths have risen in Connecticut from 2019 to 2023, frequently involving polysubstance use.
- Hispanic populations, and individuals aged 35-49 and 50+, experienced elevated rates of xylazine-fentanyl overdose fatalities.
- Specific counties (Windham, Hartford, New London, New Haven) showed the highest rates, highlighting areas for targeted intervention and resource allocation for vulnerable populations.
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