Researchers at the University of Kentucky have found syringes containing a common pet sedative in Jefferson County that tested positive for medetomidine, a US FDA-approved sedative often mixed with fentanyl or heroin. This discovery is part of a growing national trend, as experts warn of the increasing presence of this deadly substance in the South.
The American Veterinary Medical Association first detected medetomidine in 2022 in Maryland, and its use has since spread to the Northeast. In Philadelphia, over 100 people were hospitalized with severe withdrawal symptoms from medetomidine-laced substances last year. A single case in Kentucky between August 2024 and August 2025 involved medetomidine, but it was not the sole cause of the overdose.
Shreeta Waldon, executive director of the Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition, notes that the trend’s arrival in the South is inevitable. “If we’re seeing it in the North, why wouldn’t we expect it to be here?” she said. Medetomidine causes severe withdrawal symptoms and a rapid heart rate, making it a significant concern.
Jennifer Twyman, VOCAL-Kentucky organizer, emphasizes the importance of drug checking for community education and prevention. “People often dismiss those who use drugs as not caring about themselves,” she said. However, her organization works to provide support and education to help users stay safe.
The Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition is working to secure funding for medetomidine test strips, which are needed to detect the substance. These strips are more expensive than fentanyl tests but could significantly aid in preventing fatal overdoses.
Source: https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2025/08/20/medetomidine-found-in-ky