It is breathtaking to watch the manner in which the substance abuse epidemic in our region continues to evolve.

Just last month, officials in Gallia County, Ohio, warned a growing danger has reared its head — Xylazine.

The powerful veterinary sedative, which is, of course, not intended for human use at all, has been found in the region; sometimes mixed with fentanyl and other opioids.

This is a drug meant for large animals such as horses. There is no safe dosage of “tranq” for humans. In fact, overdosing is all too easy.

The Gallia County Health Department says symptoms of an overdose include very slow or stopped breathing, unconsciousness with the inability to wake up, blue or gray lips and/or skin and no response after Narcan is delivered.

Still, the department says it recommends giving Narcan in any overdose situation.

Other recommended responses to an overdose include calling 911 right away, providing rescue breathing and rolling the person on their side to provide an open airway.

Xylazine is among the drugs for which there is a test strip available to check for its presence in a sample, which may help some users avoid its dangers.

Still, it is essential communities expand their awareness of the substance abuse plague to consider Xylazine — particularly when mixed with opioids — and its dangers.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends harm reduction organizations teach recognition of Xylazine overdose symptoms so they can learn when to call 911 or begin attempting to resuscitate a patient.

They should provide test strips to those who may come in contact with the drug, as well as connecting users with resources and care (for example, wound care may be necessary due to the possibility of infection caused by the drug) — and then track those users’ retention in care, increase take-home naloxone, and partner with other organizations to spread the word.

These are important reminders, but they must be coupled with a determination to fight this plague on another level.

That includes socio-cultural changes regarding our communities’ attitude toward substance use in the first place AND work by politicians and policymakers to truly improve quality of life and provide hope here.

It will take a concerted, multi-faceted effort to break this monster’s grip.

And right now, that grip is only getting stronger.