Malisa Hepner, an Oklahoma mother, is raising awareness about the deadly synthetic opioid cychlorphine after her 18-year-old son, Jake Scoufos, died from it on December 13. Scoufos is one of at least 55 Americans whose deaths have been linked to cychlorphine, a potent drug that is difficult to detect and may not be recognized by users or dealers. Experts believe the actual number of deaths is likely higher because the drug is new, believed to originate from China, and is often mixed with other substances. Cychlorphine can be up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl and has been found in at least 13 states. Hepner's public disclosure of her son's death prompted statewide and nationwide warnings about this emerging drug threat.