Advocacy

Pharmacologically, kratom is an opioid. Like other opioids, kratom derives pain-relieving properties from its activity at the mu opioid receptor in the brain. It also carries grave risk for addiction and overdose, both of which can be treated successfully with available medications for opioid use disorder (such as buprenorphine and methadone) and opioid overdose (such as naloxone or Narcan). However, unlike most other opioids, the sale of kratom is currently unregulated, resulting in many Idahoans becoming unwittingly addicted to a substance that is readily available without warning labels.

According to data from Poison Control Centers, Idaho has the highest rate of kratom exposure in the United States. This means the number of Idahoans currently dependent on kratom is significant. A full ban would abruptly force many of these individuals into withdrawal. We know from experience with the opioid epidemic this would lead to an increase in demand for illicit opioids and overdoses. For this reason, we have concerns about a full ban.

We advocate instead for rational regulation targeting harm reduction initiatives including a ban on highly concentrated products such as 7-hydroxymitragine (7-OH) in addition to regulating the sale of kratom by establishing a legal age limit of 21 and bolstering the requirement for warning labels on packaging.

To those who have experienced the very real harms caused by the unregulated sale of kratom, we acknowledge there is more work to be done. The Idaho Society of Addiction Medicine is committed to working with families, law enforcement, and the medical community to further strengthen regulation and promote public awareness of the harms associated with kratom use as well as available treatment options going forward. 

Medicaid expansion, which has provided healthcare to over 85,000 Idahoans, is a powerful weapon against addiction and the illicit drug trade because it helps more Idahoans with addiction enter treatment and reduces demand for illicit substances. It must be protected, especially as we continue to lose lives each year to addiction and the overdose crisis.

The Idaho Society of Addiction Medicine stands together with the Idaho Medical Association and other medical societies of Idaho to support efforts to protect Medicaid Expansion to ensure continued to access necessary medical treatment.

The Idaho Society of Addiction Medicine continues to advocate for increased access to nasal naloxone to ensure lifesaving medication is available to those in need.

IDSAM extends profound gratitude to Kootenai County Fire & Rescue for their collaboration in ensuring the safety of Idahoans through this initiative.