New opioid stronger than fentanyl emerges

San Francisco officials announced a new synthetic opioid called cychlorphine is circulating on the city's black market and is more powerful than fentanyl.

Teen's death linked to cychlorphine

A 16-year-old Nob Hill resident died from an overdose, becoming the first known victim of cychlorphine. The medical examiner found the drug in his system.

Drug not yet illegal in California

Cychlorphine is so new that it is not currently considered illegal in California, and available test kits cannot detect it, raising concerns about its spread.

“The medical examiner found cychlorphine in the teenager's system, a new synthetic opioid even more powerful than fentanyl.”

Four drug dealers arrested

Police arrested four suspects after a monthslong investigation, seizing three firearms and over 20,000 counterfeit pills linked to the teen's death.

Narcan still effective but time is critical

Health officials say Narcan can reverse cychlorphine overdoses, but the window for effective treatment is very short. The teen's mother administered it twice.

DA calls for swift legislation

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins urged California lawmakers to quickly add cychlorphine to the state's list of illegal drugs so dealers can be prosecuted without legal obstacles.

“We need the California State Legislature to act swiftly to make sure that this is a drug that is added to the list of many others, including fentanyl, that is illegal in the state of California.”

Limited prison time for drug offenses

California law prevents prison sentences for drug possession charges. Jenkins said fewer than nine people were sent to prison for drug offenses in San Francisco in 2025.

“Drug charges in the state of California are not prison-eligible.”