A new class of synthetic opioids called orphines, which are reportedly 10 times more dangerous than fentanyl, are appearing in street drugs across the South and Midwest, according to medical examiners and forensic experts.

The drugs represent an escalating threat in the ongoing opioid crisis, as they infiltrate the illegal drug supply. Medical examiners like those in Knoxville are working to quickly identify these substances as they appear in overdose cases.

Orphines are among several unusual opioids that have begun showing up in forensic investigations. The substances pose significant challenges for medical professionals who must rapidly identify them to understand overdose patterns and inform public health responses.

Forensic doctors are on the front lines of detecting these emerging substances, which often appear mixed into other street drugs. The quick identification of such compounds is considered critical for tracking their spread and potential impact.

Experts anticipate that orphines will likely spread beyond their current geographic concentration in the South and Midwest to other regions of the country. The emergence of these highly potent substances adds another layer of complexity to addressing drug overdose deaths in communities already struggling with the fentanyl crisis.