In a tragic incident on Easter morning, a Kentucky family is raising awareness about the dangers of kratom following the sudden death of their loved one. Kathy Jo Sample lost her sister, Debra Jo Lipe-Groves, to what is suspected to have been a heart attack on March 31. At just 43 years old, Debra Jo’s health had been in decline for weeks, a situation her family attributes to her use of kratom. Kratom, a substance known for its pain and anxiety relief properties, also carries a risk of addiction according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). While it remains legal in Kentucky, it is banned in neighbouring Indiana and is classified as a “drug and chemical of concern” by the DEA.

Debra Jo struggled with drug addiction for most of her life, with kratom being the last substance she used. Her condition worsened to the point of severe anaemia, necessitating a blood transfusion the week before her untimely death. “She just looked so weak, she looked like a little 80-year-old woman,” Kathy Jo recounted to WLKY, expressing her grief over the loss of her younger sister.

The Call for Tighter Kratom Regulation Beyond State Borders

In response to the growing concerns surrounding kratom, on April 4—coincidentally the same day as Debra Jo’s funeral—Governor Andy Beshear signed House Bill 293 into law, introducing regulations on the sale of kratom in Kentucky. The new law prohibits the sale of kratom to individuals under the age of 21 and mandates that all kratom products must include clear labelling with safe and effective usage information. State Rep. Kim Moser, who led the bill, emphasised the importance of taking a stance against substances that contribute to harm and potentially fatal outcomes.

While the Sample family is relieved by the state’s intervention, they advocate for even stricter measures to prevent further tragedies linked to kratom. The hope is that these state-level restrictions will pave the way for broader change, possibly prompting federal action to regulate or restrict the use of kratom more strictly. Currently, kratom is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), leaving a significant gap in oversight and safety measures for consumers.

This poignant story serves as a cautionary tale about the potential risks associated with kratom use and the urgent need for comprehensive regulatory frameworks to protect public health.

For the full story, visit WLKY.