U.S. Virgin Islands — On Monday, V.I. Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea on joined a bipartisan coalition of 40 other attorneys general in calling on Congress to pass the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. The bipartisan legislation would classify the dangerous animal tranquilizer xylazine – which is often mixed with fentanyl and other opioids – as a federal controlled substance to better protect communities and reduce opioid overdose deaths. In a letter to House and Senate leadership, Attorney General Rhea and the coalition explain the dangers of illicit xylazine, which is causing an increasing number of opioid overdose deaths, and argue that federally classifying xylazine as a controlled substance is essential to helping law enforcement stop the spread of the drug.
“Illicit xylazine is a dangerous and growing threat, especially when mixed with opioids like fentanyl,” said Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea. “Classifying it as a controlled substance will give law enforcement critical tools to track, prevent, and combat its spread, help keep it from reaching our communities, and strengthen efforts to address the broader opioid crisis and save lives.”
Xylazine, widely known by its street name “tranq,” is a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer used for large animals, including horses and deer, and is not approved for any human use. Xylazine is not an opioid and therefore does not respond to the overdose reversal drug naloxone, greatly increasing its lethality when mixed with opioids. In recent years, xylazine has been mixed with illicit opioids, most commonly fentanyl.
Attorney General Rhea and the coalition argue that the lack of information on xylazine’s development, distribution, and related deaths makes it difficult to track and stop the spread of the drug. The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act would classify xylazine as a controlled substance, would allow the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to track the manufacturing of the drug, prevent diversion, and mandate public reporting. With more information on the development, distribution, and use of xylazine, law enforcement professionals would be better equipped to fight against this rising threat. Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the legislation with strong bipartisan support. In their letter, the attorneys general urge Congress to immediately pass this legislation to help address the opioid epidemic and save lives.
The letter is led by the attorneys general of New York, Arkansas, Connecticut, and Tennessee. In addition to the U.S. Virgin Islands, joining the letter are the attorneys general of American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
A copy of the letter is attached here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2026
Sandra Goomansingh
Media Relations Director
(340) 774-5666 ext. 10105
Email: sandra.goomansingh@doj.vi.gov