PHILADELPHIA, PA — In response to the escalating xylazine crisis, Pennsylvania legislators and leading medical experts are set to convene at a pivotal symposium titled “The Next Chapter of the Opioid Epidemic in Pennsylvania: The Xylazine Crisis.” Scheduled for November 23, 2024, at the Bluemle Life Science Building at Jefferson Med in Philadelphia, this event aims to tackle the intricate challenges posed by xylazine—a veterinary tranquilizer increasingly found in the illicit drug supply.
The symposium, organized by the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute Foundation for Opioid Research & Education, will run from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and is open to medical professionals and students statewide. It offers a crucial platform to explore the legislative and medical dimensions of the xylazine issue. State Representative Rick Krajewski and State Representative Mary Jo Daley, prominent figures in Pennsylvania’s legislative landscape, will deliver key addresses, emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach to this growing public health threat.
Xylazine, often referred to as “tranq,” exacerbates the opioid crisis by being mixed with substances like fentanyl, unbeknownst to users. Its consumption can lead to severe respiratory depression, cardiovascular issues, and necrotic skin wounds, posing significant challenges to both emergency medical responses and long-term health outcomes. Notably, traditional opioid overdose treatments are ineffective against xylazine, highlighting the urgent need for targeted intervention strategies.
Dr. Asif Ilyas, President of the Rothman Opioid Foundation, and Dr. Katherine Woozely, a distinguished orthopaedic surgeon, chair the symposium. They have curated a comprehensive agenda that includes sessions on the bioethical considerations of surgical interventions, harm reduction strategies, and public policy initiatives. Presentations will delve into surgical management techniques such as debridement and wound care, providing attendees with a broad spectrum of knowledge to address the medical complexities associated with xylazine exposure.
The symposium will feature insights from notable medical experts, including Dr. Daniel Teixeira da Silva, who leads substance use prevention at the Philadelphia Health Department, and Dr. Rachel Haroz, a specialist in toxicology and addiction medicine. The roster also includes esteemed academics and practitioners from institutions such as Thomas Jefferson University, Temple University, and the University of Pennsylvania, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives on tackling the crisis.
This gathering is crucial as Pennsylvania contends with the multifaceted impacts of xylazine on public health. It represents an opportunity for healthcare providers to align on effective measures and share best practices in managing and mitigating the drug’s adverse effects.
While the symposium does not offer Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, it provides invaluable insights into the xylazine crisis’s emerging dynamics and its implications for healthcare practice and policy in Pennsylvania. Interested participants can register for the event through the Rothman Opioid Foundation’s website.
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