In previous blogs I have noted the dangers of kratom. The American Psychiatric Association notes that kratom contains opioids and has the potential for dependence and addiction, especially for those who use these products on a regular basis. There is good news to report as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is proposing temporarily placing four of these kratom-derived opioids (7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16) into the Schedule I category of controlled substances. This would be a good step forward in regulating these products.

I fully agree with Dan Busch, MD, MPH, Chair of the FED UP! Coalition, who states that we need to “demonstrate many Americans support stronger safeguards for these compounds and help protect families and communities from another generation of addictive opioid products.” The FED UP! Coalition advocates for sustained federal action to end the opioid epidemic and provide easy access to effective treatment and recovery services for those with an opioid use disorder.

I encourage you to join this call to action from FED UP! and lend your support by submitting your own comments to the DEA here

Use this link for sample letters that can be personalized with your comments.