Resolution 221028
Philadelphia City Council calls on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to add xylazine to the controlled substances list in Pennsylvania.
Introduced by
From the floor
Passages in the official transcripts that cite this file number. Every quote links to its exact place in the record.
“The next speaker is Jasmin Velez, commenting on Resolution 221028, a resolution introduced today and on the Final Passage Calendar. (Speaker approached podium.)”
Chief Clerk · Stated Meeting, December 15, 2022 · Dec 15, 2022 · official transcript, this passage
“Hi, everyone. My name is Jasmin Velez. Good morning to you, City Council, and to everyone here. My name is Jasmin Velez and I'm a Kensington resident in support of Resolution 221028 introduced by Councilmember Lozada. When we consider the trajectory of how fentanyl has destroyed people with its highly addictive properties and the STATED MEETING 67 12/15/2022 traumatic impacts it has left and continues to leave on com…”
Ms. Velez · Stated Meeting, December 15, 2022 · Dec 15, 2022 · official transcript, this passage
“The next speaker is Cheryl Bettigole, commenting on Resolution 221028 introduced today and on the Final Passage Calendar. (Speaker approached podium.)”
Chief Clerk · Stated Meeting, December 15, 2022 · Dec 15, 2022 · official transcript, this passage
“The next speaker is Casey O'Donnell, commenting on Resolution 221028 introduced today and on the Final Passage Calendar. (Speaker approached podium.)”
Chief Clerk · Stated Meeting, December 15, 2022 · Dec 15, 2022 · official transcript, this passage
“Casey O'Donnell from Impact Services in Kensington speaking in support of Resolution 221028 STATED MEETING 89 12/15/2022 introduced by Councilwoman Lozada. I spend every morning driving down Kensington Avenue from Castor to Lehigh, and the purpose of doing so is, one, identifying where the homeless encampments have moved to, and since it's been cold, I also have to identify where the trash fires are and call them int…”
Mr. O'Donnell · Stated Meeting, December 15, 2022 · Dec 15, 2022 · official transcript, this passage
Status timeline
- Dec 15, 2022ADOPTED · CITY COUNCIL
- Dec 15, 2022Introduced and Moved to Be Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar - Rules Suspended · CITY COUNCIL
Official documents
Documents open on the City of Philadelphia’s legislative site.
Full text
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..Title Philadelphia City Council calls on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to add xylazine to the controlled substances list in Pennsylvania. ..Body WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia faces an ongoing drug epidemic. In 2021, there were a record 1,276 fatal overdoses in Philadelphia alone-more than in 31 states; and WHEREAS, Xylazine is a veterinary tranquilizer known by the street name "tranq." It is not approved for human use but is cut into street fentanyl to give the user a prolonged high: the effects of heroin generally last 6-8 hours but the effects of fentanyl last 1-2 hours; and WHEREAS, According to the Department of Public Health of Philadelphia, xylazine was in 90% of dope samples tested in Philly in 2021. (see generally https://hip.phila.gov/document/3154/PDPH-HAN_Update_13_Xylazine_12.08.2022.pdf/ and other Health Commissioner materials) Fentanyl was found in 94% of overdose deaths involving opioids, and xylazine was found in 44% of those deaths; and WHEREAS, Since xylazine is not an opioid, Narcan does not reverse a xylazine overdose. There are no rapid strips that test for xylazine. It is associated with severe skin ulcers that spread and do not heal without medical care, regardless of whether people smoke, snort, or inject it; and WHEREAS, Xylazine is not a controlled substance in Pennsylvania. It must urgently be monitored and researched so we can fulfill our duty to protect the public from the many harms associated with dangerous street drugs, including by program support, now therefore be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, that we hereby call on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to add xylazine aka "tranq" to the list of controlled substances in Pennsylvania. ..End