Tranq-dope and Benzo-dope Increasing in Ohio
Potent Mixtures Pose Risk of Drug Poisoning Death, Skin Wounds
A warning has been issued concerning “tranq-dope” and “benzo-dope” in Ohio.
What is tranq-dope and benzo-dope? Tranq-dope is a combination of opioids and sedatives. Benzo-dope is a combination of opioids and benzodiazepines.
Since 2021, there has been an increase in these combinations. This alert is due to an increasing number of illicit drug samples containing mixtures of powerful drugs. These drugs can cause overdoses and/or skin wounds. These drug mixtures have been identified in several forms, including counterfeit pills, powder, and rocks.
The Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center (ONIC) issued the public safety bulletin recently.
Most of today’s illicit drug mixtures are extremely potent, which can make life-saving efforts more difficult. From 2017–2022, 58% of drug poisoning deaths in Ohio involved a mixture of illicit drugs.
Common drugs often mixed with tranq-dope or benzo-dope in Ohio include:
- Opioids such as fentanyl/fentanyl analogues, heroin, nitazenes, and oxycodone.
- Sedatives such as xylazine, medetomidine, ketamine, and detomidine.
- Benzodiazepines such as bromazolam, alprazolam, clonazepam, and flualprazolam.
Launched by Governor Mike DeWine in 2019, ONIC is a specialized criminal intelligence unit that works to assist local law enforcement in conducting intelligence-driven drug trafficking investigations. ONIC’s criminal intelligence analysts and computer forensic specialists provide investigative, analytical, and digital forensic support to local law enforcement agencies and drug task forces throughout Ohio.
To report a drug tip to ONIC, please call 1-833-OHIO-NIC (644-6642). Information about how to access naloxone, the life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication, and fentanyl test strips is available by visiting naloxone.ohio.gov.
