Image Credit: Laryssa Suaid / Pexels / Public Domain
Submitted by Kurt Riley –
I never imagined I would be here—watching my son suffer under the grip of another addiction. We fought the fentanyl battle, one that nearly stole his life. Thank God I had Narcan. It’s bad enough that most drugs can be obtained by resourceful drug users but there is one that’s really easy to get. A legal one. One that you can buy at nearly any gas station or vape shop right here in Tennessee. Its name is Kratom.
For those who don’t know, Kratom is a plant native to Southeast Asia. It’s often marketed as a natural remedy for pain, anxiety, and opioid withdrawal. What they don’t tell you is that it acts like an opioid itself, binding to the same receptors in the brain. What they don’t tell you is how addictive it is. What they don’t tell you is how it destroys lives.
My son started using Kratom under the illusion that it was safe. After all, it’s legal in Tennessee. It’s sold right next to the energy drinks and CBD products, with bright packaging and false promises of relaxation and focus. But soon, I noticed the same patterns from his opioid addiction creeping back in. The mood swings, the withdrawal symptoms, the desperation to get more. He was hooked. Because Kratom is not yet classified as a controlled substance in our state.
Six states have banned it—Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Why? Because they recognize the truth. Because they see the emergency rooms filled with Kratom overdoses, the families devastated, the lives ruined. Yet here in Tennessee, it remains on our shelves, poisoning our children under the guise of being “natural.”
I am calling on the Tennessee legislature to act. To ban this dangerous substance before it claims more lives. My son’s battle is not over, and I will fight for him with everything I have. But how many other parents have to watch their children fall into addiction before we say enough is enough?
If you’re reading this, and you have the power to make a change, I beg you—do it now. Don’t wait until it’s too late for someone else’s child. Don’t wait until another family is shattered by an addiction they never saw coming. Ban Kratom in Tennessee before more lives are lost.
A desperate father,
Kurt Riley
35 Responses
Sad but I’m for our God given herbal FREEDOM and personal responsibility.
Genesis 1:29
And God GOD!! said, Behold, I have given you(for your judicious responsible use) every EVERY!! herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and(ALSO) every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
We’ve already got WAAY too much anti-freedom law to try to protect misusers and abusers.
Dwayne, these people don’t care. They’re not looking at the mounds of scientific evidence that shows kratom isn’t dangerous. These are opportunists who are looking for settlement money, promised by some sleazy lawyer; because kratom isn’t FDA regulated and they think they can squeeze distributors in court. They’re principle-lacking husks who would gladly use the jackboot of the state to throw completely innocent citizens in prison, and somehow still think it’s not contradictory to be against gun prohibition.
Wow Dwayne,
I bet you would have a different tune if it was your child who was addicted to this mess.
And because your son has an addictive personality, is irresponsible, and blames his problems on an herbal supplement, now every single law abiding kratom-user needs to be made into a felon and serve 10 years in jail for a victimless crime? This sounds like you failed at teaching your son responsibility. That doesn’t mean you get to lash out at the 99% of other kratom users who aren’t bothering anyone, doing what they want with their own money, in their own home, by their own will. Why are you so adamant about stealing peoples personal liberties? You sound like a lunatic progressive. If they were coming after semi-auto rifles, oh man I’d bet you wouldn’t be happy. And what about alcohol? How about the countless people who die every year from alcohol? We actually know scientifically just how dangerous alcohol is. Hundreds of times worse than kratom, objectively. But you don’t seem to want to schedule liquor, do you? Why are you salivating at the thought of a nanny state that watches its citizens’ every move and action? You want to live in a place like the UK? Seriously, you should be writing for the New York Times. Or maybe even socialist journals, since you love controlling peoples lives so much to make up for your personal deficits.
I can tell you’re a Kratom abuser because your words are poison just like kratom.
Nope. Like gun laws. No amount of law will prevent misusers and abusers from misusing and abusing. Only makes life worse for the responsible.
No, you’re just moronic. It doesn’t involve you at all. You aren’t Stalin. You don’t get to tell me what I can and can’t do in my own damn house. If you want to ban kratom, you must logically support an alcohol ban also.
Oh my bad, sorry, I got your username mixed up with someone else’s. I thought you were calling for a ban. Super sorry Dwayne
They all lack empathy.
Ban it.
Why do you think you have the right to tell people what they can and can’t do in their own homes? Isn’t that a little bit unamerican?
If people actually educated themselves on it instead of reacting emotionally life’d be WAAY better for all.
Like gun laws. No amount of law will prevent misusers and abusers from misusing and abusing. Only makes life worse for the responsible.
I can tell that you’re just generally low intelligence and don’t understand basic logic, but come on, you don’t see misusers and abusers of guns out there? Really? You want to ban an herb that has never caused an overdose, never hurt you, and only provided millions of chronic pain patients with miraculous benefit? Why shouldn’t I spurn you with hatred? You want to make me a felon for what?
Sorry again Dwayne, I got your username mixed up with the anti-kratom advocates and I thought you were calling my arguments emotional lol. My bad. Disregard my replies
I want to say thank you for sharing your son’s story.
Kratom is unsafe , causes addiction and so much more. My son died from mitragynine toxicity. He was a healthy 38 yr old young man , my only child and father of 3 boys. He was told this substance was safe to use for energy.
He had nothing at all in his system. Please feel free to reach out . I am a strong advocate for banning
https://www.kratomdangerawareness.org/
Thank you
Wen
No, your son didn’t die from ‘mitragynine toxicity’. There’s literally no such thing, and I can point you to countless peer reviewed articles and pharmacologists who will tear your argument apart. Kratom doesnt cause respiratory depression. Through lab studies, no one has been able to find a toxicity level of mitragynine. Your son was on prescription benzos, painkillers, antidepressants, or other hard illegal drugs. And that’s why he overdosed. Youre just trying to deprive tens of millions of Americans of a perfectly safe pain-remedy so you can milk some kratom distributor for settlement money. Why don’t you list the sleazy lawyer who solicited you and promised a large cash settlement?
The emotionally crippled have no ration or logic and flat out reject it from rational and logical folks.
Lol. Dwayne there are dozens of studies on my side, and zero science to support yours. You don’t even know what a toxicology report is, much less a scientific journal. Youre the one getting emotional, seeing that you’re advocating legislation based on an emotional fear-monger article with zero statistical backing to show for. You were never meant to be in these conversations Dwayne. You’re a few standard deviations left of the mean. You were born to be an illiterate farm laborer. Now just be quiet and enjoy your short life and let the big boys talk with big words and numbers
My bad again, mixed up your reply for another’s
The truth is, the science isn’t there to support these claims. Kratom’s advocates, led by the American Kratom Association, insist it is harmless, even beneficial—just like the tobacco industry once told us cigarettes were safe. They promote misleading narratives, fund biased research, and use aggressive lobbying to keep this unregulated drug on the market. But let me be clear: kratom is an unapproved, addictive, mind-altering substance that is taking lives.
My son was healthy. He had dreams. He had a future. But he didn’t get the warning labels, the regulation, or the truth about what he was consuming. Instead, he was met with industry lies, just like so many others who have died from kratom toxicity.
The FDA has warned about kratom. The DEA considered scheduling it. Medical examiners across the country have documented deaths. How many more families have to suffer before we act? How many more lives will be lost before we acknowledge that history is repeating itself?
Fun fact ::
The claim that there are 20 million k8tom consumers in the U.S. is often repeated by industry groups and k8tom advocacy organizations, but there is no independent, verifiable data to support this number.
Most estimates come from surveys conducted or funded by pro-kratom organizations, which may inflate numbers to make the market seem larger and more legitimate in the eyes of legislators. The FDA, DEA, and other agencies have not confirmed this figure. In fact, a 2019 study using National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data estimated about 1.7 million people used k8tom in the past year—far from 20 million.
This tactic—exaggerating consumer numbers—is a common lobbying strategy to influence legislation, making it seem like banning k8tom would harm millions of people. It’s worth pushing for real, independent studies on actual usage rather than relying on industry claims.
You might want to look in the mirror before calling anyone a sleaze ball . Looking at all your comments you appear to have anger issues..
Grow up and stop spreading disinformation.
What an utter joke of an article. This is why no one likes the Ned-Flanders teetotalling conservative types who have made a mockery of themselves waging wars on marijuana. You have no idea what you’re talking about. You don’t have the qualifications or the intelligence to speak on this topic. I can point you to DOZENS of peer reviewed scientific articles that pick apart every single thing you said here. Kratom has no more of a physical addictive property than caffeine. But I don’t see fearmongerers like you trying to ban coffee. It isn’t an opioid, not chemically, not botanically, not in ANY way. You quite literally cannot overdose on kratom, as the main alkaloid components don’t cause respiratory depression. Again, because it ISNT an opioid. There are hundreds of pharmacologists who would laugh out loud at this article. Kratom is a non-issue. It’s literally in the same family as the coffee plant. And myself along with tens of millions of other fully functioning, responsible adults use it to mitigate pain symptoms. I had a crushing spine injury 4 years ago, and the pain relief properties of kratom have allowed me to KEEP MY LIFE without being forced to take pharmaceutical opioids (which it seems you’re encouraging). I live a perfectly stable life, I work full time each week. And this is the main demographic of kratom users. Fully functioning, well adjusted adults. Without kratom being legal, I’d be living in soul-crushing physical pain all day. So why do you want to make me a criminal? Why do you want me to go to jail for simply medicating? Like genuinely what is your problem? And why, as a supposedly freedom loving conservative, do you think you have the damn right to tell other citizens what they can and can’t do in their own damn homes. I’d bet a whole lot of money that you aren’t trying to outlaw alcohol, which is funny, seeing that THOUSANDS of times more people die from drinking every year than from this herbal supplement. Frankly, I think you’re just a poor father, or your son is suffering from much deeper behavioral or emotional disorders. You don’t want to believe your son is dysfunctional, so you blame it on a practically harmless herbal supplement so you don’t have to come to terms with the truth. So instead, you’re trying to make tens of millions of responsible, law abiding adults felons – chronic pain sufferers, veterans treating PTSD, recovering addicts, etc- so you can feel better about your son. Wow, maybe follow your own conservative principles and teach your son self-responsibility instead of blaming oppressive systems on his disorder. Or maybe you’re just trying to get a legal settlement by shamming a jury into believing kratom is evil. Either way, you’re worse than the liberals who blame their failures on white men.
Amen.
I’m going to take a guess you’re addicted to Kratom?
After waking up one day in 2005, paralyzed from my neck down, I was eventually diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, and became a chronic pain patient. For years, I was able to manage my chronic pain with prescription medications, but eventually with more DEA cutbacks and new regulations over the years those were no longer an option for me. I was left to endure living in pain every single second of every single day just like so many other chronic pain patients in the same position. Luckily I discovered whole leaf kratom powder in May of 2019. I’ve been consuming it responsibly for over 5 years and it has granted me a second chance at life! Unlike any prescription pain medication I’ve been prescribed over the years, kratom has provided unparalleled relief. I no longer suffer every day; I can get out of bed and be a mom! I can go to school functions run errands, go to the store, and just live life without suffering. Though I regained mobility I still face many physical limitations, however I’m no longer confined by constant pain. Kratom gave me my life back.
*There does need to be education around the difference between whole leaf kratom powder which is literally leaves from a kratom tree that are ground up versus the semi synthetic 7oh products that are out there. The 7oh products should not be labeled or marketed as kratom products.
Very similar experience for me. But honestly, I don’t think the people writing these articles care. It seems they’re mostly doing so to generate sentiment at the behest of lawyers working with them to sue kratom distributors. This is why over the past few months we’ve seen so many ‘kratom overdose’ articles blaming mitragynine- when almost every single time the toxicology reports show lethal levels of other drugs. They’re not looking for the truth, they’re trying to build a fabricated case so they can milk money in a civil lawsuit. Most of this ‘outcry’ is funded and astroturfed by scummy lawyers who want a piece of the pie. They’ve been soliciting the families of overdose victims, knowing very well kratom wasn’t responsible, and soliciting them with a giant wad of cash. It’s not even just for overdoses, I’ve seen other cases of lawsuits for kratom causing ‘depression’ and whatnot. They know they can get away with this because kratom has been unscientifically demonized by the FDA in their crusade against anyone who self medicates, which is why it’s so important that the states regulate and protect the product. But yeah, these people don’t care if they’re ruining the lives of chronic pain sufferers, making us felons for not wanting to live in suffering. They’re just greedy, and they’ll ruin tens of millions of lives to enrich themselves
I absolutely agree
Good to hear.
I was addicted to FDA approved pain pills, benzos and muscle relaxers for 11 years straight, 2008-2019.
I got fired from chronic pain management in April 2019 because I didn’t show up for a per contract pill count. I was 11 pills short and my drug dealers didn’t have any pink oxy 10’s.
After that, I went to the streets and started doing cocaine while I was searching for a new pain management doctor.
In June 2019, whilst in cocaine withdrawal, I watched that documentary “A Leaf of Faith.” My journey with Kratom began the very next day.
Kratom shut that “I need one more snort, one more pill, one more escape” noise off in my brain. It allowed me to work on my whys of addiction. I have not been back to pain management in over 5 years.
I am a functioning member of society again. I am a thriving mother again. I pay taxes again. I am no longer a burden to my kids. I am now a first time grandma.
I will be forever grateful and thankful that I accidentally found lab-tested whole-leaf powder Kratom.
I now pass on my journey, wisdom and science to help those struggling with addiction, chronic pain, anxiety and depression.
Yours truly, Kratom advocate/activist from Colorado est. 2019.
Thank you for sharing, and keep up the fight. These people want us to be forced to take prescription opioids without a fight back.
Good to hear.
I recently came across this article in which a father claims that kratom is responsible for his son’s addiction and life struggles. While I empathize deeply with the pain he must feel watching his son suffer, I feel it’s important to address a crucial misconception presented in the article. The article suggests that kratom, in its pure leaf form, is to blame for the son’s struggles. However, this claim overlooks a significant distinction: I believe the son is not using pure kratom, but products that are marketed as containing kratom.
As someone who has been in recovery from addiction for five years and who is also a chronic pain patient, I feel a personal responsibility to speak up on behalf of those like me who use pure leaf kratom responsibly. I, like many others, have found kratom to be a life-changing alternative to prescription medications that once turned on me. Kratom helps reduce my chronic pain and has allowed me to live a productive, fulfilling life as a wife and mother. It has given me a chance at recovery that I didn’t think was possible. I don’t say this lightly—kratom, in its pure form, has enabled me to live without the need for dangerous and often addictive prescription drugs.
To claim that kratom, as a substance in its natural form, is the culprit behind addiction is a misrepresentation of the facts. There are many people, like myself, who rely on pure kratom as a safe, controlled means of managing pain and avoiding the dependency that prescription opioids can cause. The problem lies not in kratom itself, but in the consumption of products that are adulterated or misused. It’s important that we distinguish between the pure leaf and products that are marketed as kratom but may contain other harmful substances.
I also believe that this father needs to take a deeper look at his son’s situation. Instead of placing blame on kratom itself, he should consider whether his son is truly using pure kratom and, if not, what other factors might be contributing to his addiction. Additionally, addressing the root of addiction through rehabilitation and support is vital. Addiction is a complex issue, and the solution involves more than just pointing fingers at a single substance.
It’s disheartening when misinformation like this is spread, especially when so many people are benefiting from the responsible use of pure leaf kratom. While I understand the father’s concern and his desire to protect his son, I believe the issue at hand requires a more nuanced approach—one that includes better education on what kratom is and how it should be used, as well as a focus on rehabilitation.
It’s essential that we don’t vilify an entire substance based on misuse or misunderstanding. As a recovering addict, I know the importance of finding healthier alternatives to manage pain and overcome addiction. For me, pure kratom has been an integral part of my healing journey, and I am not alone in this. Let’s work towards understanding and supporting those who are truly benefiting from it, rather than condemning it based on misinformation.
Eight years ago, I discovered kratom tea after suffering in pain for over a decade, 17 years, dismissed as “all in my head.” Kratom gave me my life back. It allowed me to undergo surgery that revealed severe adhesions, and I recovered faster than anyone expected—thanks to my tea. Even while still in the hospital, I had my iv removed and drank my tea. The nurses were shocked and we talked about this wonderful tea the rest of my stay.
Today, it’s the only thing that manages my interstitial cystitis, fibromyalgia, and recurring adhesion pain. My health is thriving, and I’m living proof that plain, tested kratom is safe and effective.
Please don’t take this natural option away. It gave me back my life, and it can do the same for so many others.
My 22 year old son Matthew Eller died from Kratom powder (the least potent form of kratom available in the United States). Kratom caused him to have a seizure, go into cardiac arrest and die. His toxicology showed he died from the “TOXIC effects of Mitragynine” an alkaloid found only in kratom. He had no prescription drugs, no street drugs nor alcohol in his system when he died, and his autopsy showed he had no underlying health conditions, and was a healthy 22 year old young man.
The68th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), held from March 10 to 14, 2025, in Vienna, Austria, mitragynine—the primary active compound in k8tom- was not officially discussed during the main proceedings. The session resulted in the international control of six substances, including four synthetic opioids, hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), and carisoprodol.
However, the American Kratom Association (AKA) organized a side event titled “K8tom: A Critical Scientific Update on Safety and Potential Benefits for Consumers” on March 14, 2025. This event featured presentations by leading scientists and researchers who discussed the latest scientific data on kratom’s safety profile and potential benefits.
Notable presentations included those by Dr. Edward Boyer, Dr. Christopher McCurdy, and Dr. Marilyn Huestis, who shared their research findings on kratom. These presentations provided critical, science-based insights into the plant’s pharmacology, safety, and consumer benefits, aiming to inform global policymakers, researchers, and the media about the latest research findings and their implications for public health and regulatory decisions.
While the side event facilitated discussions on kratom, it did not result in any official resolutions or scheduling decisions regarding mitragynine by the CND.
These scientists—Dr. Edward Boyer, Dr. Christopher McCurdy, and Dr. Marilyn Huestis—are frequently associated with the American Kratom Association (AKA) because they conduct research that aligns with the AKA’s agenda of keeping kratom legal and unregulated. The AKA often funds or amplifies research that portrays kratom as a safe and beneficial substance while downplaying its risks.
Reasons They Are Linked to AKA:
1. Funding and Support – The AKA has a history of funding research or supporting scientists whose findings promote the idea that kratom is safe and effective. Financial ties between advocacy groups and researchers can create bias.
2. Industry Interests – Some of these scientists have worked with or received funding from kratom industry stakeholders, which raises questions about the independence of their research. The kratom industry, worth billions of dollars, benefits from studies that support its continued legality.
3. Public Advocacy – These researchers frequently speak at pro-kratom events, testify against regulatory actions, and participate in AKA-organized panels. Their presence at international events like the 68th UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs is meant to influence global policy.
4. Selective Presentation of Data – While these scientists do publish legitimate research, their focus is often on kratom’s potential benefits while minimizing or dismissing reports of addiction, withdrawal, and deaths from mitragynine toxicity.
This relationship mirrors how other industries (such as tobacco and opioids) have used scientific voices to delay regulation and create doubt about public health concerns. The presence of these scientists at the UN event suggests the AKA is actively working to prevent kratom from being scheduled internationally, much like how they lobby against restrictions in the U.S.
#kratomkills#kratomaddictive#childloss