More than 580 people have died from kratom deaths in Florida during the past decade, according to a comprehensive investigation by the Tampa Bay Times. The figure represents a dramatic increase from virtually no recorded cases before 2016, highlighting growing concerns about the unregulated substance marketed as a safe alternative to opioids.

The Human Cost

Jonathan Dampf’s story illustrates the tragic reality behind these statistics. The 33-year-old Fort Lauderdale man had overcome addiction and become a leader in his church’s recovery programme. He married, had a daughter, and his wife saved his number in her phone as “Superman.”

When life’s pressures mounted (his daughter was born with a condition requiring round-the-clock care, bills accumulated, and depression took hold) Dampf turned to kratom. He found the dusty green powder marketed as a safe way to ease anxiety and mimic opioid effects. It was legal, virtually unregulated, and available at gas stations, cafes, and online.

In April 2021, after watching a film with his wife, Dampf was found unresponsive on their couch. A medical examiner determined he had taken a lethal amount of kratom. No other substances were detected in his system.

Scale of the Problem

The Tampa Bay Times investigation represents the first comprehensive review of kratom overdose deaths in Florida by a news organisation. Reporters analysed thousands of pages of autopsy reports, toxicology data, police documents, and company records whilst interviewing over 150 experts and affected families.

Of the 587 kratom-related overdoses through June 2022, 46 people died solely from the herb. The remainder involved fatal mixtures of kratom with at least one other substance, with over three-quarters involving fentanyl.

Orange, Palm Beach, and Broward counties recorded the highest death tolls. When adjusted for population, Okeechobee, Martin, and Volusia counties showed the worst overdose rates.

Dangerous Products

The investigation revealed serious concerns about kratom products available to consumers. Companies sell kratom without dosing instructions, ingredient lists, or sometimes any labelling at all. Vendors often market their products as “powerful,” “most potent,” and “long-lasting,” yet most fail to disclose their intensity on labels.

The Times had 20 kratom products tested by University of Florida researchers. Results showed alarming variations in potency and labelling:

• Five products contained no ingredient information
• Eleven lacked dosing instructions
• Thirteen provided no potency details
• One scientist compared a packet of pills to “legal morphine”

A liquid product called K Shot Black contained 114 milligrams of mitragynine and 24 milligrams of speciociliatine (neither amount listed on the bottle). The Times tested another extract containing 367 milligrams of mitragynine, equivalent to over 70 capsules of a popular kratom product linked to at least three kratom overdose deaths.

Concentrated Risks

At least a fifth of those who died solely from kratom used products manufactured to be more concentrated than traditional leaf forms. Police discovered concentrated extracts, powders, and capsules at fatal overdose scenes.

Christopher McCurdy, a kratom researcher at the University of Florida, compared concentrated extracts to “drinking a Miller Lite versus drinking 12 ounces of Everclear.” He believes extracts shouldn’t be sold to first-time kratom users.

The potent liquid shots, often displayed near cash registers in gas stations and vape shops, can contain several times more mitragynine than experts consider safe for daily consumption.

Warning Signs Ignored

About half of those who died solely from kratom had what experts described as alarming levels of mitragynine in their blood (concentrations higher than 1,000 nanograms per millilitre). Some victims had levels reaching 7,182 nanograms per millilitre.

Ten people who overdosed solely on kratom had previously suffered seizures, with four experiencing seizures when they died. At least two people began experiencing seizures after starting kratom use, according to their families.

Jessica Speranza developed seizures after beginning kratom use for chronic pain. Her mother watched her health deteriorate as seizures became more frequent. “The more seizures she was having, the more kratom she was taking because she was in pain,” her mother said. Speranza eventually overdosed on kratom and died.

Deadly Combinations

More than 530 kratom deaths in Florida involved combinations with other substances. Research shows kratom can slow enzymes in the intestine and liver, potentially causing other medications to build up to toxic levels in the bloodstream.

Medical examiners attributed over 30 overdoses to lethal mixtures including kratom and drugs used to treat anxiety or depression. Unlike prescription medications, kratom products rarely include warnings about dangerous interactions.

Jonathan Roby, a Navy veteran treating post-traumatic stress, increased his kratom dose whilst taking prescribed antidepressants and anxiety medication. He died from mixing kratom with venlafaxine, a common antidepressant.

Targeting Vulnerable Populations

The investigation found that people with documented histories of drug use accounted for the majority of kratom-only overdoses. More than half had previously misused opioids like oxycodone or heroin.

At least 135 people who died from kratom overdose deaths had previously struggled with drug use, with eight dying whilst residing in sober living facilities.

Jason Lay turned to kratom after a car crash left him with a shattered spine and years of painkiller addiction. When over-the-counter alternatives caused severe stomach bleeding, he switched to kratom and eventually overdosed.

Industry Response

The American Kratom Association, the world’s most influential kratom lobbying group, has consistently claimed the herb cannot be fatal unless contaminated or laced with other drugs. Chief lobbyist Mac Haddow called the Florida death toll “grossly overstated” and attributed deaths to consumers using kratom “irresponsibly.”

Despite acknowledging that some victims had dangerously high kratom levels in their blood, Haddow maintained that underlying medical conditions or other substances were the real culprits.

Addiction Concerns

Contrary to industry claims about kratom’s safety, the investigation revealed significant addiction potential. Jay Bankston began using kratom for shoulder pain after being told he couldn’t get addicted. Within weeks, he needed four to six shots daily, spending up to $100 per day.

“It takes control of your entire life,” Bankston said. His wife threatened to leave, leading to divorce. He struggled for five years to quit kratom, relapsing repeatedly despite successfully overcoming alcohol addiction.

Treatment providers across Florida report increasing numbers of patients seeking help for kratom addiction, often combined with other substances. Many treat kratom dependency similarly to opioid use disorder, prescribing medications like Suboxone to ease withdrawal effects.

Regulatory Vacuum

Federal authorities attempted to ban kratom in 2016 following increased poison control calls, but abandoned the plan after industry and consumer opposition. Public health officials have recorded over 2,000 fatal kratom-related overdoses since 2021 across 40 states and Washington, D.C.

Federal authorities maintain there’s insufficient evidence to establish kratom’s safety and have issued import alerts for the herb. However, little regulation exists at the national level.

The substance remains widely available across Florida, with competing businesses deploying various marketing messages with limited scientific backing. Claims about treating anxiety, pain, and opioid addiction persist despite federal prohibitions on medical claims for unapproved drugs.

Ongoing Risks

Scientists studying kratom deaths in Florida note that much remains unknown about safe consumption practices and long-term effects. Research continues into determining safe doses and understanding why people die from the substance.

The investigation reveals a substance marketed as safe causing hundreds of deaths in a single state. Families like Jonathan Dampf’s continue searching for answers about how something so readily available proved so dangerous.

For those like Tyler Rook, who credits kratom with keeping him from returning to heroin addiction, the substance represents a lifeline. But the mounting death toll in Florida suggests that without proper regulation and consumer education, kratom overdose deaths will likely continue rising.

The evidence suggests that claims about kratom’s safety may not align with its real-world consequences, leaving consumers navigating a market where product potency varies wildly and critical safety information remains largely absent.

Source: Center of Health Journalism