COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center (ONIC) has issued a public safety alert regarding the rise of dangerous drug mixtures in Ohio’s illicit drug supply. The alert focuses on the increasing presence of “tranq-dope” and “benzo-dope,” which pose significant risks including overdoses and skin wounds.
ONIC reports that drug testing labs across Ohio have seen an eight-fold increase in drug samples containing “tranq-dope” (a mix of opioids and sedatives) and a more than two-fold 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 various forms, including counterfeit pills, powders, and rocks.
Sedatives and benzodiazepines are depressants that affect heart rate and blood pressure while inducing sedation and muscle relaxation. When combined with opioids such as fentanyl, which can cause respiratory depression, these mixtures can be particularly hazardous. Data from 2017 to 2022 shows that more than half of Ohio’s drug poisoning deaths involved such illicit drug combinations.
“Given the high potency of these drug mixtures, naloxone, a common overdose reversal medication, may need to be administered multiple times to be effective,” said Cynthia Peterman, ONIC Executive Director. “It’s important for the public to be aware of these risks.”
Drugs commonly mixed with tranq-dope and benzo-dope in Ohio include:
- Opioids: fentanyl, heroin, nitazenes, and oxycodone.
- Sedatives: xylazine, medetomidine, ketamine, and detomidine.
- Benzodiazepines: bromazolam, alprazolam, clonazepam, and flualprazolam.
ONIC, established by Governor Mike DeWine in 2019, assists local law enforcement with drug trafficking investigations and intelligence support. For tips on drug-related activities, contact ONIC at 1-833-OHIO-NIC (644-6642). Information on accessing naloxone and fentanyl test strips is available at naloxone.ohio.gov.
