Regulatory advice on Kratom drug after 36 deaths

Regulators have issued an advisory warning on 14^th November to stop people taking Kratom after 36 deaths have been possibly associated with the drug.

Already banned in several countries, the “pick-me-up” natural drug is created from picked Kratom leaves from jungles all over South East Asia. It was originally used by farm labourers to help them get through working on the fields.

Kratom’s active ingredient is Mitragynine – a chemical that has adverse effects such as nausea; loss of appetite; constipation; dry mouth; trouble sleeping; and brain fatigue. Kratom itself can produce side effects of seizures, itching, increased sensitivity to pain, sweating, liver damage and addiction.

More about the drug

Kratom is a member of the Rubiaceae family with reportedly similar properties to coffee in providing people with a “pick-me-up”, and can apparently help people feel warm, safe, invincible and even act as pain relief. As an opioid, Kratom reportedly carries a high risk of overdose and high risk of addiction, meaning the botanical drug carries similar risks of abuse and death that come with opioids.

In August 2016, the American Drug Enforcement Administration temporarily labelled Kratom as a Schedule 1 drug, putting it at the same level as heroin, LSD and ecstasy. The move was heavily criticised by the public and the government, which forced the DEA to drop the ban.

Legal in the U.K.

At the time of writing this blog, Kratom remains completely legal in the UK; untouched by the UK Psychoactive Substances Act and the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The drug is readily available online in small packets, kilo bags and even wholesale for businesses. However, these deaths and the American regulatory decisions may prompt health officials to have a closer look at the drug and whether it should be so freely available in the UK.

Authorities may be forced to revisit a death more than three years ago when one Kratom user was apparently killed by the potent drug. Back in June 2014, a Winchester University student was found dead after taking large amounts of Kratom. His death was blamed on the toxic effects of the legal drug.

Toxicology consultant Peter Street revealed that the student had high levels of Kratom in his blood and noted that, “the Government has got to pick up on it soon.” There were other medicines found in his blood but the coroner confirmed the reason for his death to solely be, “the combined toxic effects of the two chemicals contained in Kratom”, rather than a reaction to the other substances like anti-depressants.

Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker addressed the death at the time and also released a statement on the dangers of “legal highs”. Unfortunately, no real action seems to have been taken against Kratom.

Health officials and authorities have a responsibility to consider therapeutic benefits of medicinal drugs only insofar that they are scientifically proven to be effective and in identifying its associated risks.