California Takes On Potent Synthetic Drug 7-OH

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KQED

News Commentary, News, Politics

4.2 • 727 Ratings

🗓️ 22 October 2025

⏱️ 54 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Reports are rising of addiction, overdose and death tied to 7-OH, a potent new synthetic drug. The painkiller is a lab-made offshoot of the herbal drug kratom. 7-OH is more than 10 times stronger than morphine and has been dubbed “gas station heroin” because it’s sold openly in gas stations and vape shops, including here in California. At least six people in Los Angeles have died from overdoses related to the drug since this spring, and health officials warn it could cause an addiction crisis. We’ll talk about how the state is trying to curb its use. Guests: Lester Black, cannabis editor, SFGATE Dr. Brian Hurley, addiction physician; medical director of the Bureau of Substance Abuse Prevention and Control, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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