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Xylazine or “tranq” wounds – characterized by deep pockets of dead tissue – have become increasingly visible in Philadelphia among people who use drugs.

That’s because xylazine^[1], an animal tranquilizer with no FDA-approved use in humans, is now pervasive in Philadelphia’s street fentanyl supply^[2]. Forensic testing has revealed xylazine’s presence in over 90%^[3] of street...