Super‑potent drug hits Bay Area

The city’s health office warns that a new, very strong synthetic opioid has appeared in counterfeit pills. The drug, called cychlorphine, is thought to be stronger than fentanyl and caused a fatal overdose earlier this month. Police said it first showed up in 2024 in Florida, then traveled to San Francisco through major highways. The drug can hide inside many street drugs, making it hard to spot. Current testing tools do not detect cychlorphine. People can’t rely on fentanyl test strips, so the safest move is to stay away from counterfeit pills. Experts also say the drug may not respond well to emergency antidotes such as Narcan, which could mean people need more doses. The health department is urging everyone to avoid suspicious pills.Community groups are stepping up help. In the Tenderloin, a local charity now gives out twice as many Narcan kits each night and teaches residents how to stay safe. They also offer support for people who need treatment. Law enforcement warns that the supply is unpredictable and dangerous. Both the drug‑enforcement agency and public health officials call for caution. The problem is growing across the country, with new threats to drug safety emerging everywhere.