White House officials have officially designated xylazine combined with fentanyl as a public threat.

The White House released the designation on April 12 due to an increasing number of deaths from the drug combination. This represents the first time in U.S. history that such a designation has been made.

The designation comes from Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), after officials observed a rising trend in deaths.

Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” is a veterinary tranquilizer and muscle relaxer not approved for human use, typically found laced into illicit drugs like fentanyl. State officials previously noted increased reports in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Texas.

White House officials said that the “levels of geographic distribution and rapid increase in negative health outcomes,” including overdose and morbidity, now meet the Emerging Threats Criteria used by ONDCP.

Forensic lab identifications from the Drug Enforcement Administration revealed that xylazine rates of overdoses and morbidity had risen “in all four U.S. census regions.” The office noted that confirmed xylazine-related deaths in the southern United States increased by 193% and in the western portion of the nation by 112%.

“Xylazine-positive overdose deaths increased by 1,127% in the south, 750% in the west, more than 500% in the Midwest, and more than 100% in the northeast,” officials noted in the release.

Dr. Gupta said in the announcement that he was “deeply troubled” by the demonstrated effects of the combination and its future impact on the U.S. as a whole.

“By declaring xylazine combined with fentanyl as an emerging threat, we are being proactive in our approach to save lives and creating new tools for public health and public safety officials and communities across the Nation. To parents, loved ones, community leaders, and those affected by xylazine use: I want you to know that help is on the way,” said Gupta in the release.

The release also promised the future publication of a “whole-of-government response” to respond to the threat of xylazine-laced fentanyl. Measures will include “evidence-based prevention, treatment, and supply reduction.”