South Carolina Warns of Deadly Synthetic Opioid Cychlorphine

Attorney General issues urgent public alert about the dangerous new drug

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:56pm

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The South Carolina Attorney General's office has issued a public warning about a new deadly synthetic opioid called cychlorphine that has been identified in the state. The drug is said to be 10 times more potent than fentanyl and even trace amounts can result in overdose or death. Law enforcement and the public are being urged to exercise extreme caution.

Why it matters

Synthetic opioids like cychlorphine are increasingly being manufactured overseas and trafficked into the United States by drug cartels, posing a serious public health threat. These drugs are designed to be more potent, addictive, and difficult to detect, putting users at grave risk of accidental overdose.

The details

Attorney General Alan Wilson says cychlorphine is often mixed into other substances without the user's knowledge, turning any drug use into a potentially deadly gamble. The Tennessee Department of Health has reported more than 30 fatal overdoses from the drug since October 2025, and local authorities in South Carolina have also issued warnings about its presence in the state.

  • Since October 2025, the Tennessee Department of Health has reported more than 30 fatal overdoses from cychlorphine.
  • The South Carolina Attorney General's office issued the public warning about cychlorphine in April 2026.

The players

Alan Wilson

The Attorney General of South Carolina who issued the public warning about the dangers of cychlorphine.

Tennessee Department of Health

The state agency that reported more than 30 fatal overdoses from cychlorphine since October 2025.

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What they’re saying

“This is poison, plain and simple. We are seeing foreign adversaries and drug cartels working together to flood our communities with these deadly substances. They don't care who they kill. Their goal is profit, and the cost is American lives. Parents need to understand how serious this is and talk to their kids now, because one mistake, one exposure, can be fatal.”

— Alan Wilson, Attorney General of South Carolina

“We're seeing concerns about cychlorphine, a powerful synthetic opioid that is now being linked to overdoses across the nation (including here in South Carolina).”

— Behavioral Health Services in Pickens County

What’s next

Law enforcement and first responders are being urged to exercise heightened caution, as even incidental exposure to cychlorphine may carry serious risks.

The takeaway

The emergence of deadly synthetic opioids like cychlorphine, which are being trafficked into the US by drug cartels, highlights the urgent need for greater public awareness and action to combat the opioid crisis and protect vulnerable communities.