Meet Kratom a.k.a. Legal Heroin
Illicit drugs like crack and heroin have been problems for years. Addicts are flooding into detoxes, treatment centers, and halfway houses all over the country. The substance abuse industry is flooded with people battling deadly addictions. The War on Drugs isn’t anything new. The police and the government have been fighting drugs for decades. They’re always on the lookout for new ways to combat the increasing number of illegal drugs. Well, it looks like the number of illegal drugs may soon increase by one.
A new drug, Kratom, is being found all over south Florida. Hell, it’s being found all over the country for that matter. It’s sold in smoke-shops and Kava bars. It’s hotly sought after for its euphoric effects. Kratom is a member of the opiate family and shares many similarities with its cousin, heroin. It sedates users, causes strong feelings of relaxation, and depresses central nervous system functions.
Just Because It’s Legal Doesn’t Mean It’s Safe
Kratom is sometimes said to be stronger, more addictive, and more dangerous than illegal drugs! Kratom is sold as a powder or, in some cases, as a liquid. This legal powder has sent people to the ER, detoxes, and treatment centers.
“I enjoyed taking the substance because it’s easily available. I could walk right into the local shop and purchase Kratom. There was no waiting around or drug dealer,” states Randy, a twenty-five year old former Kratom abuser. He goes on, “it got to a point where I’d choose to do Kratom over eat food that day. I was heavily addicted to the substance, and entered rehab for the second time in my life. The first time was for cocaine and alcohol use.”
Unfortunately, stories like Randy’s aren’t all that rare. More and more, people are seeking an easy way to deal with the anxiety and stress of the world. New substances, like Kratom and “spice,” may seem like safer alternatives than illegal drugs. However, they often turn out to be just as dangerous as any illegal substance.
We need to educate ourselves about the dangers of legal highs! We need to learn what we’re putting into our bodies! We need to stop thinking just because something’s legal, it’s safe. Look at alcohol. It’s legal and causes far more deaths each year than all illegal drugs put together!
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