Johnson County Criminal Justice

Check out this series going on at the Community Center on Tuesday! The main topic this week is online safety for children. Other topics to be covered include child abuse and also childhood mental health and substance abuse. Don't miss out on this FREE information series. Tuesday April 14 from 6-7pm at the MC/JC Community Center

It’s stronger than fentanyl, largely undetectable, and now connected to 41 deaths in East Tennessee.

Researchers and law enforcement are warning about a newly emerging synthetic opioid showing up in East Tennessee overdose deaths: N‑Propionitrile Chlorphine (also called “cychlorphine”).

The Knox County Regional Forensic Center says cychlorphine was detected in toxicology in 41 deaths from July 2025–February 2026 across Knox and 10 surrounding counties, with 5 additional cases still in an early notification stage as experts work to confirm the drug’s role.

What makes this especially alarming: officials say it may be far stronger than fentanyl (possibly 10x), it’s not approved for human use, it’s often mixed into other street drugs, and it’s not detectable with most test kits, making it even more dangerous.

“It has never been more dangerous to take street-level drugs than right now,” said Chris Thomas, chief administrative officer and director of the Knox County Regional Forensic Center.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available: 988 (Su***de & Crisis Lifeline) and SAMHSA 1‑800‑662‑HELP (4357).

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******UPDATE *******
At this time, this matter has been resolved. However, we hope this incident serves as an important reminder for both parents and youth to remain aware of their surroundings and to exercise caution when interacting with unknown individuals. While our community is close-knit, it is important to remember that no area is entirely exempt from potential safety concerns.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a report involving an older-model, white, contractor-style van, driven by an adult female that was reportedly seen in the community last night.
According to information received, the female driver approached several youth and asked questions such as whether they attend school, where they work, whether they were looking for jobs, how they arrived at their location, and who they were with. It was also reported that the female offered to purchase va**ng products for the youth.
At this time, this matter remains under investigation. This notice is being shared to make the public aware and to please report any similar encounters.
Anyone with additional information or who may have experienced a similar interaction is encouraged to contact the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office at 423-727-7761.

Did you ever think that you could be the biggest risk to your child’s safety online? Let us explain…

When we believe “not my kid,” we lower our guard. Denial creates gaps—less monitoring, fewer conversations, and missed warning signs. Online harm doesn’t require bad parenting or bad kids; it thrives in silence and assumptions. The best protection is awareness.

Be prepared, stay involved, and have honest, ongoing conversations with your child about their online world. Connection and communication are the strongest safety tools we have.

We believe every person deserves to live free from fear and harm. Safe Haven of Johnson County is working hard to open a domestic violence shelter right here in our community, but we can't do it alone.

We are looking for passionate volunteers to help us break the cycle of abuse and build a community rooted in compassion, justice, and healing. Whether you have a specific skill to offer or just a heart for helping others, we need you!

How You Can Help:
Fundraising & Events: Help us organize local drives and awareness campaigns.

Outreach: Spread the word about our mission to neighbors and local businesses.

Administrative Support: Help us stay organized behind the scenes.

Advocacy: Help survivors overcome the challenges on their path to survivorship

Facility Preparation: Lend a hand when we get our space ready for survivors.

Ready to make a difference? Please fill out our Volunteer Sign Up Form below, email: [email protected], or phone: 423-765-7470 to get started.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSebQivMLk1NB6D678uJITK9A_ss9wl3UnzfWVgwp2mHrKsvHQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=103381055344836451022

Together, we can provide safety and hope for those who need it most. Thank you for standing with us!