Austin-Travis County EMS is concerned that cychlorphine, a highly potent synthetic opioid, may be circulating locally after medics recorded a rise in overdoses requiring multiple doses of naloxone, the medication sold under the brand name Narcan. In the 30 days before Sept. 25, EMS responded to 98 opioid overdose calls. Nine patients needed more than two naloxone doses to reverse their symptoms, a higher number than the agency typically sees, said Capt. Christa Stedman. In September 2025, medics responded to 73 opioid overdoses, and two patients required more than two doses. The numbers do not establish that cychlorphine caused the overdoses. EMS does not test for specific opioids while treating patients, Stedman said, so the agency cannot identify the substance involved in those cases. She said cychlorphine may require substantially more naloxone to counter its effects and has been described as up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl. Stedman said the drug has been found mixed with cocaine, not only substances such as heroin or methamphetamine. That raises concern about the risks of drugs whose contents are unknown. The warning comes amid reports of cychlorphine-related deaths elsewhere. A Tennessee health department warning issued in March cited more than 30 fatal overdoses statewide associated with the opioid since October 2025. At the University of Texas at Austin, Joell McNew, who leads the SafeHorns campus-safety group, said she is working to bring cychlorphine-specific education and training to campus. She said the drug’s potential impact is concerning and noted that social pressures and exhaustion can make college students vulnerable to risky substance use. Naloxone remains a key response to opioid overdoses, officials said. Stedman said the nasal spray is straightforward to use: place the tip in a nostril and press the plunger. If the person does not improve after three to five minutes, give another dose, she said. UT says it has distributed more than 11,000 doses of naloxone since 2015 and has 45 campus locations where students can obtain it. The university’s SHIFT program also provides education about recognizing overdoses and using naloxone.