Interviews were held with key informants from harm reduction organizations or similar programs from across the United States, to better understand how they are responding to the presence of xylazine in their communities. All participants noted an increase in xylazine prevalence in their communities, ranging from a years-long problem to first being identified in early 2023. Many barriers to care exist, including lack of treatment information and best practices and stigma towards people who use drugs. Additionally, opportunities for community engagement raised by key informants include expanded access to comprehensive drug checking equipment to better monitor the changing drug supply, and timely communication and dissemination of xylazine information from trusted sources.
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