READILY AVAILABLE. IT’S VERY DANGEROUS. IT’S UNREGULATED. AN URGENT WARNING ABOUT A NEW STREET DRUG KNOWN AS GAS STATION HEROIN, AS TIED TO AT LEAST ONE DEATH IN PENNSYLVANIA. THE OFFICIAL NAME OF THE DRUG IS THE FAYETTE COUNTY CORONER SAYS IT’S HIGHLY ADDICTIVE AND IS INCLUDED IN A LOT OF COMMON PRODUCTS. WE’RE SEEING IT IN THESE VAPE STORES, THESE SMOKE SHOPS, AND THE MOM AND POP GAS STATIONS. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY HARDER TO BREAK THIS ADDICTION THAN IT IS TO BREAK A HEROIN ADDICTION. SO AT LEAST A DOZEN STATES HAVE BANNED PRODUCTS, INCLUDING THE DRUG, AND ANYTHING WITH A SUBSTANCE CAN BE CONSIDERED GAS STATION HEROIN. THE FAYETTE COUNTY CORONER SAYS HI
Fayette County coroner warns of street drug tied to Pennsylvania death
Updated: 5:29 PM EDT Apr 29, 2026
The Fayette County coroner has issued a warning about tianeptine, a dangerous and highly addictive street drug known as “gas station heroin,” which has been tied to at least one death in Pennsylvania. “It’s readily available, very dangerous, and unregulated,” Dr. Bob Baker said. The coroner explained that tianeptine is included in many common products. “We’re seeing it in these vape stores, smoke shops, and some mom-and-pop gas stations. I was told that it’s harder to break this addiction than it is to break a heroin addiction,” Baker said. At least a dozen states have banned products containing tianeptine, which can be referred to as “gas station heroin.” Baker said his goal is to have the substance banned nationwide or, at the very least, listed as a controlled substance.
FAYETTE COUNTY, Pa. —
The Fayette County coroner has issued a warning about tianeptine, a dangerous and highly addictive street drug known as “gas station heroin,” which has been tied to at least one death in Pennsylvania.
“It’s readily available, very dangerous, and unregulated,” Dr. Bob Baker said.
The coroner explained that tianeptine is included in many common products.
“We’re seeing it in these vape stores, smoke shops, and some mom-and-pop gas stations. I was told that it’s harder to break this addiction than it is to break a heroin addiction,” Baker said.
At least a dozen states have banned products containing tianeptine, which can be referred to as “gas station heroin.”
Baker said his goal is to have the substance banned nationwide or, at the very least, listed as a controlled substance.