Understanding Xylazine Exposure and Health in North Carolina
Growing Xylazine Supply in NC: A Community-Based Investigation of Exposure and Health Consequences
This project aims to understand how xylazine, a dangerous substance, is affecting people who use drugs in the southeastern US and what health problems it causes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Triangle Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11133053 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is looking into the increasing problem of xylazine exposure among people who use drugs in the southeastern United States. Researchers will work with communities to understand how xylazine is showing up in drug supplies and how people are reacting to it. They will also explore the behaviors that might put people at higher risk for unusual overdoses and new types of wounds. By checking drug samples in the community, the team hopes to get a clearer picture of xylazine's presence and its effects on health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project is for people who use drugs in the southeastern US who may have been exposed to xylazine.
Not a fit: Patients not using drugs or living outside the southeastern US would not directly benefit from this specific community-based project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help develop better ways to prevent overdoses and treat health issues related to xylazine exposure, ultimately improving safety for people who use drugs.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific crisis of xylazine is emerging, community-based approaches to understanding drug use patterns and health consequences have been successful in other contexts.
Where this research is happening
Research Triangle Park, United States
- Research Triangle Institute — Research Triangle Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zibbell, Jon Eric — Research Triangle Institute
- Study coordinator: Zibbell, Jon Eric
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.