Xylazine: What the HIV care team needs to know

This session is part of NAHEWD's national webinar series Bridging HIV and SUD: Innovations in the Field. The series will highlight various innovative models and approaches to treating substance use disorder (SUD) in people at risk for and living with HIV. The training will review the growing effect of xylazine contamination of the drug supply for people who use drugs. Epidemiological and geographic trends in xylazine exposure and consumption will be reviewed. Signs, symptoms, and effects of xylazine exposure will be reviewed and provide helpful insights for HIV care teams on how to identify people who are affected by xylazine and how to adjust services to meet the needs of people using drugs and living with HIV.

Participants will be able to:

1. Recognize the growing concern regarding xylazine contamination of the drug supply.

2. Identify the impact of xylazine on overdose risk and strategies for sedation management.

3. Name risk factors for the development of xylazine-associated wounds and strategies for wound management.

4. List at least 2 impacts xylazine contamination has on the HIV care team's ability to care for people who use drugs.