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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (July 15, 2019)
10 JULY 15, 2019 Smoke Signals Kratom use prompts concerns in Grand Ronde By Danielle Frost Smoke Signals staff writer Kratom is like the plant it is derived from in Southeast Asia: the drug seems to be springing up everywhere, from small corner stores to specialty shops and online retailers. Depending on the amount ingest- ed, effects can range from that of a stimulant no stronger than coffee to one as potent as an opioid. Proponents say kratom, market- ed in the United States as a sup- plement, can help with withdrawal from opiates, anxiety, insomnia, low energy and a host of other health conditions. However, those in addiction med- icine are concerned about teen use and the potential for the drug to be used in conjunction with other medicines, with potentially fatal consequences. Who can buy it and from where varies by state, county and even city. Kratom is considered a sup- plement and is not regulated by the federal government. Therefore, states and individual cities are left to make their own regulations. It is sold in forms ranging from liquid extracts to chocolate. In Grand Ronde, Sunstone Or- ganics kratom products are for sale at American Market, a corner store at the intersection of Highway 18 and Grand Ronde Road. Store Owner Rupal Patel said the location has been offering kra- tom for two years due to customer demand. “Our customers were telling us it is sold all over and want- ed to be able to buy it here,” she said. The most popular kratom products at the Grand Ronde store are those containing what is known as “white vein” and “red vein.” The red leaves are said to produce calming effects while the white leaves act as a stimulant. Patel said kratom only ac- counts for a small percentage of the store’s overall sales, with seven or eight trans- actions per day. Most of the customers are older than 30, she added. Currently, the drug is legal in all states except Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Tennes- see, Vermont and Wisconsin, although some individual cities and counties across the country have instituted strict- Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez er regulations or banned the A Kratom-for-sale sign stands outside of the American Market on Grand Ronde substance completely. In Oregon, kratom is sold Road. as a dietary supplement and Although restrictions on kratom regulated. And when it comes into is legal for anyone to purchase, no are currently left to individual a community like Grand Ronde, matter their age. Earlier this year, states and cities, The U.S. Food and most don’t know what it is or what Oregon lawmakers were consider- Drug Administration is warning it does. Using kratom to withdraw ing a bill that would have regulated consumers not to use it. from opiates is like downing a bottle the production, testing and labeling The FDA is concerned that kra- of NyQuil to get off booze.” of kratom and limited sales to cus- tom, which it says affects the same Grand Ronde Tribal Police Chief tomers 21 years of age and older. opioid brain receptors as morphine, Jake McKnight said his officers However, the bill didn’t make it appears to leave users at risk of haven’t fielded many calls about out of committee. Lawmakers have addiction, abuse and dependence. kratom. said they ran out of time and are There are currently no FDA-ap- “We believe a youth overdosed on hoping to address kratom in the proved uses for the drug and the kratom, but we haven’t had a ton next legislative session. agency continues to receive “con- of issues overall,” he said. “The real cerning reports” about its safety, scary part of it is that it is import- according to its website. ed from another country and not regulated, so who knows what is Grand Ronde Tribal Chemical added to it?” Dependency Counselor Joe Mar- According to recent laboratory tineau said he has seen more and testing results released in April more people seeking treatment for by the FDA in which 30 different kratom addiction. kratom products from a variety “It does have positives and neg- of sources were examined, signifi- atives, but it is highly addictive,” cant levels of lead and nickel were he said. “People in treatment pro- detected. grams for other drugs have become “Based on reported kratom usage dependent on it. Just like any patterns, heavy kratom users may addictive drug, the more often you be exposed to levels of lead and take it, the more you need. Some nickel many times greater than the started using it to help for with- safe daily exposure. … Based on drawal from opiates, then became these test results, the typical long- addicted to both. Unlike a medicat- term kratom user could potentially ed detox, there is no professional develop heavy metal poisoning, intervention or regulated plan.” which could include nervous system The American Kratom Associa- or kidney damage, anemia, high tion, founded in 2014, states that blood pressure, and/or increased more than 5 million Americans risk of certain cancers,” the report utilize kratom as a nutritional stated. supplement and that it is a “safe, The American Kratom Associa- natural supplement more akin to tion said it supports “appropriate” coffee and tea than any other sub- FDA regulations to ensure the stances.” safety of kratom products. Martineau said he thinks other- “AKA is committed to work with wise based on his experience with the FDA to share information and kratom-addicted clients. collaborate in the development of “It is just as addictive as any regulations that will protect con- mood altering substance,” he said. sumers from adulteration and con- “The teens especially are thinking taminations of kratom products,” of it just like any supplement. The it states. impression they have is that since Tribal Youth Prevention Man- it isn’t illegal, it must be OK. Even ager Nicole Hewitt said that while if they couldn’t buy it here, they no local individual cases had been could just get it online.” brought to her attention, concern At least 12 people in recovery is there. programs have talked to Martineau “There is no age restrictions and about the drug and how potent it is. it can lead to high risk of problems “That is my main concern,” he with prescribed medications that said. “It is also very easy to find teens might be taking,” she said. and is amazing to me how much we Smoke Signals ad “We are concerned.” don’t know that is out there and un-