For the first time in close to 30 years, Russia has deployed ships armed with tactical nuclear weapons. The claim comes from an annual report from the Norwegian Intelligence Service, and was reported by the Independent. The ships from Russia’s Northern Fleet were allegedly deployed to the Baltic Sea. The incident comes as Russia also backs out of a nuclear arms agreement with the United States, just following President Joe Biden’s visit to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Chinese regime is nearing a red line by supplying weapons to Russia. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent a warning to the Chinese Communist Party leadership, saying the move would mean “serious consequences” for China.
“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). KJV
There’s a new drug in town — and it has deadly consequences.
Xylazine — otherwise known as “tranq,” “tranq dope” and “zombie drug” — is wreaking havoc in major cities across the country with its devastating effects: It can literally rot the user’s skin.
The substance, which seemed to first appear in Philadelphia before migrating west to San Francisco and Los Angeles, was used for cutting heroin, but, most recently, it has been discovered in fentanyl and other illicit drugs.
While approved by the Food and Drug Administration for veterinary use, xylazine, a non-opioid, is not safe for humans, and those who overdose on the drug do not respond to naloxone, or Narcan, the most common overdose reversal treatment.
Xylazine causes sedative-like symptoms, such as excessive sleepiness and respiratory depression, as well as raw wounds that can become severe and spread rapidly with repeated exposure. The crusty ulcerations, which can become dead skin called eschar, can result in amputation if left untreated.
Because it is not listed as a controlled substance for animals or humans, “tranq” lands in a confusing and horrifying gray area — and hospitals rarely test for it with routine toxicology screenings.
A homeless person in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, where “tranq” has saturated the city. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
“Tranq” is worrying medical experts as its presence in other drugs rises.Getty Images/iStockphoto
Last month, one Philly user suddenly developed xylazine-specific wounds near her opioid injection sites.
“I’d wake up in the morning crying because my arms were dying,” Tracey McCann, 39, told the New York Times.
The city reported that 90% of lab-tested dope samples from 2021 contained xylazine, which can increase the risk of overdose when combined with other illicit substances.
But the lethal combination of substances is what gives xylazine its appeal — the high of the opioid, such as fentanyl, is extended with the help of “tranq.”
“It’s too late for Philly,” Shawn Westfahl, an outreach worker with Prevention Point Philadelphia, told the Times. “Philly’s supply is saturated. If other places around the country have a choice to avoid it, they need to hear our story.”
People with substance use disorders who get hooked on the zombifying drug believe the emerging substance killed “any kind of joy” that came with getting high.
“Tranq is basically zombifying people’s bodies,” Sam, 28, told Sky News. “Until nine months ago, I never had wounds. Now, there are holes in my legs and feet.”
The worrying “tranq” trend comes as the New York City Department of Health reported that 2,668 New Yorkers died of overdoses in 2021. Experts warn that xylazine could worsen the ongoing drug epidemic.
An outreach worker said it is “too late” for the city of Philadelphia, where “tranq” is reportedly widespread. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Xylazine was found in 90% of drug samples tested in Philadelphia in 2021. Homeless people gather (above) in Kensington.Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Dr. Gary Tsai, the director of substance abuse prevention and control with the LA County Department of Public Health, believes the drug’s prevalence “would increase deaths from overdoses.”
“The main concern is we’re already amid the worst overdose crisis in history, nationally and locally,” Tsai told the Los Angeles Times.
According to a 2022 report, xylazine has been discovered in 36 states. In New York City alone, the drug was found in 25% of samples, per the Times.
Earlier this month, the San Francisco Department of Health announced that low levels of xylazine were found in the systems of four people who overdosed, suggesting that the substance can be hidden in drugs unbeknownst to the users.
“It’s possible that it’s more out there,” warned Tsai. Source
Brothers and sisters in Christ, this broke my heart. Please share this with friends and family. We must let people know that this is happening among the homeless in 36 states!
Homelessness is at an all time high in our cities and many of these people are using “Tranq” completely unaware that this is like a flesh-eating virus!
God please help these people. Please drawn them to Yourself.