New drug more powerful than fentanyl pops up in East Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) – Officials in Knoxville are warning that a new drug has suddenly popped up in East Tennessee that is more deadly than fentanyl.

It is an opioid called N-Propionitrile Chlorphine, or cychlorphine for short.

The Knox County Regional Forensic Center blames it for a rash of overdoses in the region, including one in McMinn County.

But they don’t know much about it.

Officials aren’t sure if it is just one batch or the future of drug use.

They do know that it is more powerful than fentanyl.

And Narcan only has limited affect.

It may take multiple doses of Narcan to prevent an overdose.

The first case of the drug was spotted in East Tennessee in October.

Since then, it has been linked to 16 deaths.