Ohio: Authorities warn of dangerous drug cocktails

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center (ONIC) has issued a public safety alert regarding the rise of dangerous drug mixtures in the illegal drug trade in Ohio. The alert focuses on the increasing presence of “tranq dope” and “benzo dope,” which pose significant risks such as overdoses and skin injuries.

ONIC reports that drug testing labs across Ohio have seen an eightfold increase in drug samples containing “tranq dope” (a mix of opioids and tranquilizers) and a more than twofold increase in “benzo dope” (a combination of opioids and benzodiazepines) from 2021 to 2023 compared to the previous three years. These mixtures have been identified in a variety of forms, including counterfeit pills, powders and bricks.

Sedatives and benzodiazepines are tranquilizers that affect heart rate and blood pressure while also having a calming and muscle-relaxing effect. When combined with opioids such as fentanyl, which can cause respiratory depression, these mixtures can be particularly dangerous. Data from 2017 to 2022 show that more than half of drug poisoning deaths in Ohio are due to such illegal drug combinations.

“Given the high potency of these drug mixtures, naloxone, a commonly used drug to treat overdoses, may need to be administered multiple times to be effective,” said Cynthia Peterman, executive director of ONIC. “It is important that the public is aware of these risks.”

Drugs commonly mixed with tranquilizers and benzodiazepines in Ohio include:

• Opioids: Fentanyl, Heroin, Nitazene and Oxycodone.
• Sedatives: xylazine, medetomidine, ketamine and detomidine.
• Benzodiazepines: Bromazolam, alprazolam, clonazepam and flualprazolam.

Established in 2019 by Governor Mike DeWine, ONIC assists local law enforcement with drug trafficking investigations and intelligence gathering. For tips on drug-related activity, contact ONIC at 1-833-OHIO-NIC (644-6642). For information on accessing naloxone and fentanyl test strips, visit naloxone.ohio.gov.