The article, “Xylazine-Associated Wounds and Related Health Concerns Among People Who Use Drugs: Reports From Front-Line Health Workers in 7 US States,” has been published in SAj.
In this article, the author acknowledges the increasing prevalence of xylazine in the US drug supply and provides insight from front-line harm reduction and health care professionals on risk, recognition, and care of xylazine-associated wounds. The article also documents the health implications of xylazine exposure experienced by people who use drugs. Additionally, the author relates recommended priorities for xylazine-related research as identified by front-line professionals.
In the AUTHORS’ OWN WORDS, they relate the importance of their work:
“Harm reduction organizations have been actively documenting and sharing lessons learned through direct service to people impacted by xylazine exposure, including knowledge related to xylazine withdrawal and xylazine-associated wounds.26,27 Though this expert knowledge is insufficient to guide public health efforts alone, it is one of the 3 pillars of evidence-based practice alongside high-quality scientific evidence and meaningful input from directly impacted people.28,29 Service providers who work for or with harm reduction organizations, therefore, represent an available, necessary, and largely untapped source of knowledge about the harms of xylazine exposure, the challenges those harms pose to patients and providers, and the most urgent priorities for xylazine-related scientific research.”
“As xylazine becomes more pervasive in the US drug supply, xylazine-associated wounds and related harms are being observed by front-line harm reduction professionals with increasing frequency. Conservative wound care strategies have been developed by front-line wound care providers, but more research into risk factors for these wounds, the biologic mechanisms of these wounds, and strategies for their prevention and treatment is urgently needed. Efforts to improve the management of xylazine withdrawal and reduce stigma against people who use drugs by incorporating harm reduction professionals into healthcare settings may also improve opportunities for engagement with many forms of care.”