Concerns Rise Over “Gas Station Heroin” in Detroit Metro Area
In the metro area of Detroit, the community of Warren is on high alert over the increasing availability of substances dubbed “gas station heroin.” Local authorities are considering actions to control these substances due to their potential risks.
Kratom, originating from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia, is generally used in small amounts as a stimulant. However, the emergence of a synthetic variant known as 7-OH, which amplifies a specific compound in kratom, has raised alarms. At high doses, 7-OH can induce sedative effects akin to opioids.
Dr. Mark Bicket, who serves as Co-Director of the Overdose Prevention Engagement Network and Director of Pain and Opioid Research at the University of Michigan, commented on the situation. In a correspondence with Michigan Public, he noted that while some individuals turn to these substances for pain relief, anxiety management, or to ease opioid withdrawal, the FDA has yet to approve them for any medical applications. The agency has also detected harmful levels of heavy metals like lead and nickel in numerous kratom products available in the U.S.
“The FDA considers both substances to have no proven benefits and serious potential risks. Kratom has been linked to serious health risks, including seizures and liver damage in adults and neonatal withdrawal syndrome in newborns,” Bicket stated.
In a move to curb potential dangers, the Food and Drug Administration has issued warning letters to manufacturers of 7-OH, highlighting the illegality of marketing drugs and food products containing this compound.
Responding to these concerns, the Warren City Council has urged the city’s legal team to develop a proposed ordinance that would regulate the sale and possession of kratom. This move follows the lead of 16 other states that have already implemented similar regulations, though Michigan is not yet among them.
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