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Dangerous new drug could be ‘next wave of the opioid epidemic’ - and you can buy it at gas stations
New York Post • • business
Key Points:
- A potent and potentially deadly narcotic called 7-OH, derived from the kratom plant, is increasingly being sold at truck stops and gas stations, raising public health concerns.
- 7-OH is not technically an opioid but acts similarly, contributing to a 1,200% rise in kratom-related hospitalizations and deaths over the past decade, according to the CDC.
- The drug is often mixed with alcohol and other substances in fatal cases, and many users are unaware if their kratom products contain the highly addictive 7-OH due to lack of labeling requirements.
- Experts warn that 7-OH products contain unknown and potentially toxic side chemicals, and the inconsistent dosing in pills sold at retail locations poses significant overdose risks.
- While some advocates argue 7-OH could aid opioid addiction treatment, health professionals emphasize that its unregulated sale in convenience stores is dangerous and calls for stricter controls on the substance.
