South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson warned on Apr. 8 that a dangerous new synthetic opioid called cychlorphine has been detected in the state. The drug, which is more potent and harder to detect than other opioids, poses a serious risk to public safety.
Cychlorphine can be deadly even in small amounts and is often mixed into other substances without users’ knowledge. Wilson said, “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. We will use every tool at our disposal to stop this and protect South Carolina families.”
The Attorney General’s Office advised law enforcement officers and first responders to exercise extra caution due to the risk of incidental exposure leading to overdose or death. The office said it will continue working with partners at all levels of government to address the threat posed by these drugs.
The South Carolina Attorney General supports victims of crime through advocacy and resources as part of its commitment to community safety according to the official website. The office serves as the state’s primary legal advocate by handling prosecutions, regulations, securities laws enforcement, consumer protection matters, and collaborating with law enforcement agencies across South Carolina according to the official website.
Wilson has served as head of the office which operates statewide according to the official website.
The announcement reflects ongoing efforts by state authorities not only in enforcing laws but also protecting residents from emerging threats like synthetic opioids.
