American Kratom Association Issues Call to Action

Just over a year since a historic victory against the DEA, the kratom community is again under fire, this time from the FDA. The latest FDA advisory claims 36 deaths attributable to kratom. Kratom has been falsely attributed to at least 15 deaths. Dr. Jane Babin, molecular biologist, and patent attorney, thoroughly debunked the two most recent deaths attributed to kratom in a report that was endorsed by Dr. Karl Ebner of the consulting firm KeTox. The 8-factor Analysis by addiction expert and Johns Hopkins University professor Dr. Jack Henningfield and dozens of studies point towards the safety and effectiveness of kratom, but despite bipartisan support from both houses of Congress, the kratom community and citizens at large will need to come together to ensure the availability of this plant that has helped so many.

The American Kratom Association just released some tips on what the kratom community and concerned citizens can do to support the continued availability of kratom. Even if you're not a kratom user, this may affect you. Making kratom illegal would set a dangerous precedent for plant medicines, so this is similar to the case of the canary in the mine. AKA urges those interested in helping save kratom so kratom can keep saving lives to keep the pressure on those with authority.

You can contact the current Commissioner of the FDA, Scott Gottlieb, M.D. by writing to

U.S. Food and Drug Administration,

10903 New Hampshire Ave

Silver Springs, MD 20993-0002

or email: [email protected]

If you call the FDA, the AKA offers a sample testimonial that you can use and add how kratom has either changed your life or others important in your life.

"I am a responsible adult who consumes Kratom to improve my health and well-being and I urge you to reconsider your stance and look at the science in support of kratom as well as all the testimonies of people that have and continue to use kratom for their benefits."

1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)

AKA also offers the following letter template:

*It's important not to copy and paste, please use your own words

We need YOUR help to fight the FDA and their negative info being released to the public.

My name is __, I'm a -year old ___ from ___

I would like to voice my support of Kratom and my disagreement with the FDA and their recent smear campaign. This puts kratom, a plant helping millions of people suffering chronic and acute mental and physical conditions that is also safely easing the nation's opiate epidemic problem naturally, on the same level as illegal drugs like heroin. It would also prevent further research which, to date, has shown kratom to be an effective painkiller that does not cause respiratory depression; the main cause of death from opiate overdose.

-How you came to use kratom….. (did you learn about it in a chronic pain support group, etc?)

-What ailments you suffer, what treatments haven't worked (prescriptions, surgery, etc.), how long you've been dealing with your condition, how long you've been using kratom and how many/what medications you've been able to quit.

-What kratom means to you (has it given you your life back, have you gone back to work, can you play with your, exercise or travel, etc., something anecdotal about why kratom is important and should be available).

-Conclusion: Kratom is a safe alternative to pharmaceutical drugs with important benefits for many issues and has changed my life. I fear this action by the FDA will only lead to more tragic deaths of victims of the opiate epidemic, maybe even my own (if you think this may lead to illicit drug use). I know that my own quality of life as a productive member of society will not be the same without kratom.

If you have questions about kratom, please visit https://www.americankratom.org/

Thank you for your time and service to the state.

Sincerely,

— Include your name, address, and phone number.

AKA reminds anyone who contacts the FDA, representatives or others, please be professional and polite, keeping it as short as possible. Diplomacy is key here as well. Even when responding to negative or inaccurate stories online, it's best to retain civility and communicate in a polite, professional and courteous manner and don't forget to share positive news stories.

AKA also urges concerned citizens to contact their federal legislators. You can find a <a href="http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/">list of Congresspersons here</a> and find your Senators and their <a href="http://www.senate.gov/senators/contact/">contact information here.</a>