Travis County is experiencing a notable reduction in fentanyl-related deaths, yet there is a concerning rise in fatalities linked to unidentified opioids, posing new challenges for the community.
Recent data reveals that opioid-related deaths in Travis County have decreased by 35%. Officials attribute this positive trend to increased distribution of naloxone, a medication designed to reverse opioid overdoses, and enhanced community harm reduction efforts. However, statistics from the Austin-Travis County EMS indicate a troubling emergence of unknown opioids that are contributing to both non-fatal and fatal incidents.
“We have observed a surge in deaths related to unknown opioids in our county,” stated Dr. Desmar Walkes, the Austin-Travis County Health Authority.
Emerging Threat
Austin Public Health has raised alarms regarding a potent compound associated with Kratom, a substance derived from a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Kratom is often marketed as a natural remedy for various ailments, including pain, anxiety, and opioid withdrawal, and is readily available for purchase at gas stations, convenience stores, smoke shops, and online.
Dr. Walkes noted, “Kratom products may come in various forms, including candies, snacks, and gummies.” However, the primary concern lies in the chemical composition of some of these products.
“Kratom contains a compound called Mitragynine, which can undergo chemical transformations to become a more potent derivative known as 7-OH,” Dr. Walkes explained. “This compound raises significant alarm as it is classified as a semi-synthetic opioid.” The concentrated 7-OH products pose risks of addiction, severe health complications, and potentially fatal overdoses. Research indicates that, under certain conditions, 7-OH may be significantly more potent than morphine.
“As a semi-synthetic opioid, kratom can lead to overdose situations similar to those caused by conventional opioids, particularly when mixed with other substances. This may necessitate larger doses of Narcan, the medication used to counteract overdoses, to effectively save lives,” warned Dr. Walkes.
Big Picture View
The concerns surrounding Kratom are not isolated to Travis County. Recently, two University of Mississippi students were discovered deceased, with investigators finding packaged kratom from a retail outlet during their inquiry.
In Texas, legislation restricts the concentration of 7-OH in kratom products to 2% and prohibits sales to individuals under 18. On a federal level, authorities have initiated emergency scheduling measures aimed at regulating the concentration limits of these compounds in commercially available products.
Dr. Walkes elaborated, “The federal government and the Drug Enforcement Administration are assessing the distinctions between these compounds to regulate their availability. This will create a legal framework for controlling how much of this substance can be sold over the counter.”
What You Can Do
Austin Public Health advises the public to carefully examine product labels, store these substances out of children’s reach, and avoid combining them with alcohol or other drugs to mitigate risks.
