Tranq scourge
I agree with your July 12 editorial (“Stop Normalizing Tranq”) decrying the New York City Department of Health’s misguided ad campaign normalizing the deadly drug xylazine (street name “tranq”), the flesh-eating substance used to treat animals in veterinary medicine.
Tranq is, in most cases, being unwittingly sold to users in preparations of heroin and fentanyl, creating a toxic mix leading to death from overdose as well as rotting body sores and ulcers.
According to the FDA, the drug agonist naloxone, effectively used as a tool to prevent overdose deaths, does not work with tranq since it is not an opioid. In addition, tranq is not detected in routine toxicology screening.
I support the harm-reduction model as a means to an end, that end goal being a bridge to an approved treatment program where legitimate medications for opioid addiction, such as methadone or buprenorphine, are available.
The bottom line is that tranq should not be taken by humans, and it is madness for the city’s harm-reduction centers to assist users in any way to ingest or inject this poison.
Anthony Scro, Whitestone
LaBella’s ego
Vito LaBella’s failure to leave the race for City Counsel illustrates an entitlement that ensures the vote will be split and that the uselessness of the New York Conservative Party will continue (“Split imperils GOP in B’klyn 43rd,” July 9).
Ego-driven LaBella and the equally hopeless Conservative Party ignore the admonition of William F. Buckley, an early leader of the conservative movement: You vote “for the most right, viable candidate who could win.” That is not LaBella, but Ying Tan.
The Conservative Party in New York is headed to the dustbin of history, where the Liberal Party of New York now resides. The Conservative Party should embrace Ying Tan, but is instead sending the message: Asians need not apply.
No wonder the Democrats dominate the city and state.
Francis Rushford, Bay Ridge
Sanctuary chaos
Mayor Adams inherited the mess New York City is in, due to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s horrendous administration (“ ‘Crushing’ horde,” July 12).
One simple sentence needs to be said: “We are no longer a sanctuary city.”
Believe it or not, there are some people who do not realize the negative effect the influx of migrants is having on our city. Where is the money coming from to support these people? Where are we getting the $7.9 million a day?
That money could be used to help with crime, schools and housing for the elderly and homeless, and for actual citizens who pay taxes and work and live here.
Cuts to city services will continue if our mayor and governor do not stand up and speak for the citizens. Do they have the guts?
It is not the fault of the migrants. It starts at the top — from President Biden on down. Someone needs to speak out and stop this.
Maureen Sharkey, Brooklyn
Right on clusters
President Biden is quite right in sending cluster munitions to Ukraine (“Rethink bombs, Biden,” July 10).
He should have done it 12 months ago. The Russians have been using them on populated areas since the start of the invasion. Ukraine will only be using them on the battlefield.
The complaints by rights groups should be ignored completely, as they have been silent about Russia using them. Well done, Biden.
John Fair, Castlebar, Ireland
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