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Authorities in Mississippi urge the public to avoid kratom after packaged products sold in retail turned up in two investigations involving University of Mississippi students found dead on Monday in Oxford. Lafayette County Metro Narcotics didn’t confirm if the deaths were connected to kratom or any other substance. Even so, officials asked folks to avoid …
Kratom Warnings Intensify After Suspected Overdose Deaths
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Authorities in Mississippi urge the public to avoid kratom after packaged products sold in retail turned up in two investigations involving University of Mississippi students found dead on Monday in Oxford.
Lafayette County Metro Narcotics didn’t confirm if the deaths were connected to kratom or any other substance. Even so, officials asked folks to avoid kratom and any medication not prescribed from legit sources. Those who do can seek help from local clinics or neighborly Narcotics Anonymous chapters.
About Kratom
Kratom is an herbal extract made out of Mitragyna speciosa tree leaves from Southeast Asia. The leaves contain mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Kratom acts as a stimulant but can behave like a sedative and produce powerful opioid-like effects in the brain.
It’s sold as pills, powders, teas, tonics and concentrates, sometimes to buyers of any age, at gas stations, smoke shops and convenience and health food stores.
Natural kratom is regulated in 22 states and banned in eight. Mississippi doesn’t prohibit it, though Oxford and other cities have issued bans. The federal government has warned about potent kratom-related compounds linked to addiction and poisoning.
Kratom Poisoning Calls Spike Nationwide
The cause for alarm has spread. Kratom poisoning calls rose more than 1,200% between 2015 and 2025 to a record 3,434 reports in the U.S. At the same time, 233 people died from kratom use, with 184 also involving other substances. Most involved men in their 20s and 30s although it also impacted middle aged folks.
University of Florida kratom researcher Dr. Oliver Grundmann noted it carries a real risk of narcotic addiction because of how it interacts with the brain.
Signs of kratom poisoning include high blood pressure, vomiting and tachycardia, a rapid heart rate that can bring palpitations and chest pains.
Kratom isn’t exactly an opioid but its opioid-like effects hit hard. Many products are unregulated, so the buyer doesn’t know how strong it is or what else is in there. Using it leads straight to dependence and withdrawal that mirror opioid abuse.
Help Options Exist
Since most kratom deaths involve other substances, the unpredictable supply is the central danger.
For people struggling with opioid addiction or any narcotic addiction, help works.
- Medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine or methadone reduces cravings and overdose risk.
- Peer support through NA meetings adds accountability for anyone who wants to stop using.
NA Leads the Way
If you or someone you love is using kratom regularly or mixing it with other substances, talk to a doctor or reach out for opioid treatment.
Getting started with NA is a big step, but one made easier. For instance, just browse through our online directory for chapters anywhere in the USA.
Feel free to also reach out to an expert by dialing 800-934-1582(Sponsored) .
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