Bruce R. Talbot Associates LLC

The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) reports In vitro pharmacology data shows the new designer synthetic narcotic drug N-Propionitrile chlorphine
to be approximately 10-times more potent than fentanyl! This new drug is the latest analogue of brorphine which first hit the street-drug market in 2020.

N-Propionitrile chlorphine has been identified in 25 blood specimens from fatal overdoses tested at the CFSRE, the vast majority submitted in late-2025 and early-2026. In addition, N-propionitrile chlorphine has been tentatively identified in more than 100 toxicology cases at NMS Labs. Toxicology specimens originated from nine states across the United States, as well as three provinces in Canada.

Standard workplace urine drugs tests do not screen for these novel synthetic opioids.

The article "Can Ozempic Cure Addiction?" by Sarah Stillman (published in the February, 2026, issue of The New Yorker) explores the emerging scientific frontier of using GLP-1 receptor agonists—the class of drugs including Ozempic and Wegovy—to treat substance use disorders.

Here is a summary of the key points:

1. The "Quiet Mind" Phenomenon
The article begins with anecdotal evidence that has been mounting since Ozempic became mainstream. Patients prescribed the drug for diabetes or obesity frequently reported a sudden disappearance of "food noise," but many also noticed a secondary effect: a loss of interest in alcohol, ni****ne, gambling, and even compulsive shopping. Stillman describes this as a "rewiring" of the brain’s reward circuitry.

2. The Science of Reward
The piece explains how GLP-1 receptors aren't just in the gut; they are also prevalent in the brain's dopamine system (specifically the ventral tegmental area).
• Dampening the "High": Researchers believe these drugs may dull the dopamine spike associated with addictive substances or behaviors.
• Breaking the Cycle: By stabilizing the brain's response to triggers, the drug may help prevent the intense cravings that lead to relapse.

3. Clinical Trials and Early Results
Stillman highlights several ongoing clinical trials testing semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) specifically for alcohol and opioid use disorders. Early data suggests a significant reduction in consumption among participants, though researchers caution that "curing" addiction is a more complex psychological process than simply suppressing a physiological urge.

4. Societal and Medical Implications
The article addresses the potential for a paradigm shift in how addiction is treated:
• Medicalization vs. Morality: Using a weekly injection to treat addiction further pushes the field toward a medical model rather than a "willpower" or moral-failing model.
• Access and Equity: A major theme is the cost. With Ozempic costs $199 per month on the new Trump RX but increases to $350 a month for higher doses. This innovative treatment may only be available only to the wealthy, while the poor, hit hardest by the opioid crisis, will remain without access unless Medicare decides to pick up the cost.

5. Risks and Caveats
Stillman does not ignore the downsides. The "anhedonia" (the inability to feel pleasure) that some users report is a concern. If the drug dulls the "high" of alcohol, it might also dull the joy of food, s*x, or hobbies. There is also the question of "forever use"—whether patients would need to stay on these drugs indefinitely to prevent a return of addictive cravings.

GLP-1s currently represent the most promising pharmacological development in addiction medicine in decades. However, the author emphasizes that chemical intervention must be paired with structural social support to truly address the roots of the addiction crisis.

https://www.newyorker.com

Scientific review of new designer synthetic drug 3,4-Pr-PipVP. Chemically, this new street drug falls into the "synthetic cathinone" category of stimulant drugs and can be passed off as M**A "ecstasy' or street amphetamine. This new street drug is closely related to the better known drug a-PVP "flakka".

Pharmacological profile, phase I metabolism, and excretion time profile of the new synthetic cathinone 3,4‐Pr‐PipVP The new synthetic cathinone 3,4-Pr-PipVP is investigated regarding its phase I metabolism and its activity as an inhibitor of the norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin re-uptake.