San Francisco officials warn of deadly opioid cychlorphine

Default author avatarSAN FRANCISCO —

Public health officials in San Francisco are warning about cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid they say is even more dangerous than fentanyl.

Police said cychlorphine caused the death of a 16-year-old in April. An investigation into the case led officers to more than 20,000 pills containing counterfeit drugs and two people facing charges. The district attorney has promised an aggressive prosecution.

“So many times we have been demonized, we have been criticized by those who say we shouldn’t hold those who sell these drugs accountable,” District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said. “But this is proof that this must continue.”

Health officials cautioned that cychlorphine is extremely dangerous and warned that people may unknowingly take it.

The drug is designed to look like a trusted pharmaceutical and has been passed from friend to friend.

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