Deaths of students at the University of Mississippi cast spotlight on kratom

A drug task force in Mississippi is urging people to avoid kratom after authorities found packages of the substance while investigating the deaths of two University of Mississippi students The warning Tuesday came despite no “confirmed information” that kratom contributed to either death, Lafayette County Metro Narcotics said in a news release. The students were found Monday afternoon in different locations, one on campus and the other off campus, a university spokesperson said.

health officials and states have increasingly scrutinized kratom, an herbal extract that acts as a stimulant at low doses and a sedative at high doses, over the past decade. Kratom is legal at the federal level, but some state and local governments have banned the substance and federal authorities have issued warnings about its risks. Toxicology reports aren’t yet available Two state agencies were working to expedite toxicology reports for the students, Mississippi Gov.

Tate Reeves said in a statement Wednesday. “Mississippi is praying for the families and friends of the two Ole Miss students during this incredibly difficult time,“ Reeves said. Authorities said they had no evidence the deaths were connected but noted the kratom found at the scenes was sold at a retail store.

Officials did not name the store or say whether any criminal charges would be filed. “Out of an abundance of caution, we encourage everyone to avoid kratom and any other medication or substance that was not prescribed to you or obtained from a trusted, regulated source,” the task force’s news release said. The university said Thursday that it was not releasing the students’ names yet out of respect for the families’ wishes.

Kratom is extracted from a tree native to Southeast Asia It is used in capsules, powders and liquids that are often sold in gas stations or smoke shops. Proponents say that in its pure form, kratom is a safe, natural herbal supplement that can help manage pain, anxiety and depression and ease the effects of opioid withdrawal. Doctors who treat addiction, however, say people can quickly become dependent on it, leading to withdrawal symptoms.

Food and Drug Administration webpage is blunt: Don’t use it. The agency says it carries the risk of serious adverse effects, including liver toxicity, seizures and substance use disorder. In rare cases, it’s been associated with deaths, though…