Bill > S4045

Introduced Session

This bill requires controlled dangerous substances seized by law enforcement officers to be tested for the presence of xylazine in accordance with protocols established by the Division of State Police. The bill requires the Division of State Police to transfer the information pertaining to the presence of xylazine in controlled dangerous substances to the Department of Health for inclusion in the New Jersey State Assessment Data System and Overdose Data Dashboard maintained by the Center for Health Statistics and Informatics. Under current law, the Attorney General has established a program to monitor and analyze trends related to the presence and content of fentanyl in illegal substances seized by law enforcement throughout the State. The information is compiled in a database accessible to all law enforcement agencies. Under the bill, xylazine is required to be included as a dangerous substance to be monitored and analyzed by the State Police. The bill also requires the database to include any other information that the Attorney General determines to be relevant to fentanyl or xylazine use that is received by the forensic laboratory in the Division of State Police and Chief State Medical Examiner. Xylazine, which is also known by the street names "tranq," "tranq dope," and "zombie drug," has been approved for use as an animal sedative and is commonly used in veterinary practice, but has not been approved for use in humans. However, it has been reported that xylazine has been increasingly detected in illegal street drugs, and particularly in opioid drugs, as it can enhance and prolong the euphoric effects of opioids.

Committee Categories

Vin Gopal (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 01/14/2025)

Official Document