Tarrant County DA warns about deadly drugs

The drug supply is changing fast – and becoming more dangerous by the day.

Fentanyl remains the deadliest threat, but other powerful drugs are emerging, creating new risks that families need to know about now.

Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells is warning residents about two substances of growing concern: cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid appearing in the illegal drug supply, and kratom, a substance that can be purchased legally in stores and online.

"The drug supply is more unpredictable than ever," Sorrells said. "People may think they know what they are taking, but they don't. That mistake can cost them their life."

So far this year, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office has reported 163 fentanyl overdose deaths, 16 kratom overdose deaths and one cychlorphine overdose death.

"These drugs don't just put you at risk – they can kill you," Sorrells said. "Don't gamble with your life."

This message comes during Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month in Texas.

Cychlorphine is an emerging synthetic opioid that has surfaced in the illicit drug supply.

It is extremely potent and may be mixed with other drugs or pressed into counterfeit pills, making an already unpredictable drug supply even more dangerous.

“Never take a pill that wasn’t prescribed to you and filled by a licensed pharmacy,” Sorrells said. “You cannot look at a counterfeit pill and know what’s in it. One pill can cost you your life.”

Kratom is a plant native to Southeast Asia that traditionally has been consumed as a powder or tea. But concentrated or synthetic kratom products can pose much greater risks and are readily available online and in some smoke shops and convenience stores.

Some concentrated products are sold in pill form, making it especially important for consumers to understand exactly what they are taking and how much.

"Legal doesn't mean safe," Sorrells said. "Something sitting on a store shelf can give people a false safe of security. Know what you're putting into your body."

The DA's Office will continue working with law enforcement and community partners to hold drug traffickers accountable and ensure that residents stay informed about emerging threats.

“This is about saving lives,” Sorrells said. "The more people know about what's out there, the better chance we have of keeping another family from losing someone they love.”

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