A 16-year-old Lower Nob Hill resident has been identified as the victim in SF’s first fatal overdose involving cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid estimated to be 10 times more potent than fentanyl.In April, the Department of Public Health issued a warning about N-Propionitrile chlorphine after an ov erdose earlier that month, saying the drug had recently appeared in San Francisco for the first time. And the New York Times is now reporting that the victim was Dante Paul Lacourte, a 16-year-old SF resident. Lacourte, who lived in Lower Nob Hill, was found unresponsive in his bedroom by his mother on April 7. She reportedly administered two doses of Narcan, but he could not be revived. Lacourte’s autopsy later identified cychlorphine as the opioid responsible for his death, a substance that's reportedly 10 times more potent than fetanyl. The results also showed another synthetic opioid, N-Desethyl isotonitazene, as well as ethyl bromazolam, an unapproved benzodiazepine, as KRON4 reported at the time.According to the Times, Lacourte had struggled with ADHD, anxiety, and depression, and had previously used other drugs to cope with school pressures, according to his family. His mother kept Narcan on hand in case of a possible overdose, however she was too late in this case.Reportedly, Lacourte frequented the streets of the Tenderloin and bought drugs from street dealers there, who are frequently arrested with various wares.Last week, San Francisco police arrested Nicholas Wallace, 46, in the Tenderloin, who was allegedly in possession of 34 oxycodone pills and cocaine, along with Sharonee Hyson, 44, who allegedly had cocaine base and a loaded firearm, as the Times reports.Police later arrested Leander Pitts, 46, and Starr Lamare, 39, in Bayview-Hunters Point, where 20,000 pills were seized, including suspected counterfeit Xanax and oxycodone, along with fentanyl and other drugs. A semiautomatic assault rifle, a semiautomatic pistol, and cash were also recovered.All four suspects were booked into county jail on numerous felony charges related to narcotics sales and firearms, per the Times. Pills recovered in earlier, unrelated police arrests have also reportedly tested positive for cychlorphine, suggesting the drug was already circulating in San Francisco through more than one source. Unlike fentanyl, standard test strips do not detect cychlorphine.San Francisco had reportedly been conducting wastewater testing to monitor the local drug supply, including newly emerging substances, but federal funding for the program ran out in 2024. The Times reports that the city resumed testing in July and plans to begin publicly reporting the results this fall.Keith Humphreys said wastewater monitoring could help officials identify new drugs before they begin killing people.“The worst possible way to find out a new drug is in the city is by an autopsy,” he said.Previously: SF Officials Warn of Counterfeit Opioids Stronger Than Fentanyl Following First Overdose ...read more read less