On April 23, two synthetic opioids — N-propionitrile chlorphine, known as cychlorphine, and N-desethyl Isotonitazene — caused a fatal overdose in San Francisco, prompting the city’s Department of Public Health to issue a health alert to San Francisco citizens.
Chlorphine and N-desethyl Isotonitazene are both predicted to be 10 times more potent than fentanyl and are undetectable by fentanyl test strips. Public health officials have detected these opioids in counterfeit prescription pills and alongside unregulated substances.
When creating pills and powers, manufacturers often lace their product, adding small amounts of opioids or other addictive drugs to it. “[People] are making pills that look exactly like pharmaceutical pills. [If] a few grains of the synthetic [opioid] end up on a scale, that’s it. That’s enough to make someone die,” health teacher Shafia Zaloom said.
SFDPH’s statement urged medical professionals to inform patients of typical signs of overdoses from chlorphine and N-desethyl Isotonitazene and preventative measures to protect against the dangers of opioids. Naloxone, commonly sold under the brand name Narcan, can delay the fatalities of an overdose.
Narcan is available at most local pharmacies, and Urban’s front desk offers it for free. “Narcan may be able to buy you some time, but it depends on the opioid that you’re talking about. And it’s important for people to remember that it is only buying you time,” Zaloom said. “It just delays the overdose.”
Overdoses on these opioids may require more than one dose of Narcan to temporarily reverse the overdose due to these opioids’ high potency.
“Part of the concern is that this drug does not respond to Narcan in the way that others do,” said Head of School Quinton P. Walker, who attended an SFDPH webinar about the recent overdose and presence of these synthetic opioids in San Francisco. “That, I think, was one of the reasons they wanted to sound the alarm to schools. Many schools, by virtue of California state statute, have to have Naloxone available on campus.”
SFDPH’s webinar was insightful for educators. Zaloom said, “People in public health are trying to alert those of us who educate communities and other caretaking adults to heighten awareness and to say, ‘This is out there, and it’s showing up in other things as something that’s laced.’”
The Health Initiative for Peer Education 2026 survey showed that 16.8% of 244 student recipients have used hard drugs recreationally. Of these students, 83% had never tested the drugs, while the remaining 17% had tested them at some point.
Anthony Larkin ’26 advised peers to prevent dangers surrounding the synthetic opioids by using Urban’ s resources. “I’d say [students should be] a lot more cautious and use Urban resources. Don’t be shy to just stop by Jenn’s office,” he said. “I personally don’t use any substances, but I know people that do, so I carry Narcan. Just use these resources that are given to you so you and your community are safe.”