‘10 times more deadly than fentanyl’: A new drug creeps into South Carolina

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — A new synthetic opioid is spreading through the southeast, with one reported death in South Carolina.

State Attorney General Alan Wilson is spreading awareness of cyclorphine as local nonprofits, organizations and agencies work to learn more about the drug.

Cyclorphine is a stronger drug than fentanyl, meaning tools to combat an overdose like Narcan may not be as effective.

“It’s very new, and we’ve just started to see it creep into South Carolina,” Wilson said.

Wilson said one death has been reported in Richland County from cyclorphine, and 41 deaths have been reported in East Tennessee.

“I don’t want to wait till there’s dozens before we start warning people. You are your last line of defense as an individual. You control what you ingest into your body,” Wilson said.

Wilson said the drug is far worse than any other synthetic drug in South Carolina.

“Please, people, please be aware of what’s coming into your home and what you’re putting into your body and understand that there are new drugs out there that are 10 times more deadly than fentanyl, 50 to 100 times more deadly than heroin, and it’s being put into everything,” Wilson said.

Abby Foster, CARES program coordinator with Wakeup Carolina, a nonprofit for recovery, said cyclorphine poses an even greater risk because of how new it is.

“With some of these synthetic opioids, because they are so potent, it’s requiring more and more Narcan to help reverse the overdose,” Foster said.

Foster said a synthetic drug is taking something that has a natural form, then creating something else man-made, which can be in drugs people may not realize before they use.

“The things you see in our gas stations are extremely potent because they’re synthetic and they exist in a non-natural state that was never meant to exist. And that’s why they’re so harmful,” Foster said.

Foster spoke from her own experience in the recovery process.

“For the people that are struggling, it becomes necessary to use just to feel normal,” Foster said.

Foster said it’s important to keep harm reduction and safety in mind.

“Even if you know the person, even if you trust the person, any time that we have, we’re taking the risk of using an illicit drug, you’re taking the risk of ending your life,” Foster said.

If you or a loved one is in need of help, follow the link here.