What to Know About Kratom 7-OH Products

 

Last week, our IAA Blog shared an important story about how Florida officials are in the process of expanding emergency bans that target new chemical compounds being made to try to bypass stricter restrictions being put on high-potency kratom and 7-OH related chemical extracts. Kratom 7-OH is easy to buy at gas stations, smoke shops, and convenience stores, often sold right next to drinks and snacks. In the first half of 2025, more than one-third of reported poison control cases involving 7-OH have led to serious health issues such as seizures and passing out.

This timely information bears repeating because this is how many producers of these Gas Station Morphine Drugs work. When stricter regulations are put in place, they go back to the lab to produce and market copycat formulas to get around the bans. Of course, they attempt to put these drugs back on the store shelves to get around the system and continue marketing these dangerous substances to our vulnerable youth despite their high potential for abuse, addiction, and death.

Recently, our prevention partners at the Partnership to End Addiction shared an article called The Rise of Kratom: A Dangerous and Familiar Pattern about the growing use of kratom and how it mimics the spread of past public health problems and we'd like to bring this to your attention. We've seen what can happen when addictive products become popular before there are enough rules, education, or treatment options in place. The opioid crisis caused devastating harm. Hemp-derived THC products are also spreading rapidly. Many warning signs were ignored until youth began experiencing serious health effects. When we have information, it is important to share it to keep our families and communities safe. 

Facts About Kratom 7-OH - Kratom is a plant from Southeast Asia. The regular Kratom leaf, used in teas or ground up, is not the harmful issue because it only contains trace amounts. What is harmful is the synthetic, concentrated by-product - called Kratom 7-OH, 7-Hydro, or legal morphine. In fact, the FDA recently reported that 7-OH can be 13 times more powerful than morphine. 

While some people may use the regular kratom plant leaves for energy or pain relief, most kratom 7-OH products are made in a lab. Producers take the small amount of 7-OH from the plant and create more of it. This concentrated 7-OH is then added to products like drinks, gummies, and powders to make them much stronger as well. Products are packaged in eye-catching colors and designs with kid-friendly flavors like pineapple, strawberry, and lemon. 

Even more concerning is that those who have become addicted to 7-OH report that sellers may encourage them to try it saying it is more powerful than the kratom they were using, but without explaining the risks of use. Free samples are often offered as well.

The issue is that any type of concentrated, synthetic opioid product like this may have various potency and additives. Experts want people to know to avoid 7-OH, 7-Hydroxy, and any gummy, candy, or drink with 7-OH in it.

To read the informative article The Rise of Kratom: A Dangerous and Familiar Pattern, click: 
https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/rise-kratom-dangerous-and-familiar-pattern?

Media & Marketing’s Influence on Substance Use

Young people are often exposed to alcohol and other drug use through the media via advertisements, the news, or fictionalized media such as movies, tv shows, or social media. 📺🎥These exposures and advertising techniques can be very persuasive and can go on to influence a young person's own use. 

We encourage parents and caregivers to include conversations about substance use and how it is depicted in today's media in talks with their children. Use real time experiences, such as when watching TV or movies together, to point out to your kids how media can have a powerful influence - and not always in a good way.

Did You Know That...

*71% of prime time TV shows depict alcohol use

*19% show tobacco use
*20% mention illicit drug use

Portraying drugs and alcohol positively in the media can increase the risk of substance use. The media can create misconceptions making it seem like more young people are using substances than is actually the case. Marketers use this tactic to sell products and normalize use. It's important to correct these misconceptions  because teens need to know that it does not accurately represent people's actual lives. Instead, it's meant to manipulate them.

Teaching kids how to recognize the signs of deceptive marketing and advertising for alcohol and other drug products helps to empower our young people to make more informed choices. 💪

https://positivechoices.org.au/parents/media-and-marketing

988Lifeline – Share the Number, Spread the Word

 

Summer days are longer and the sun is shining bright, but sometimes we don't always feel as bright. If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health or substance disorder challenges, help is available.

We all have a role to play in suicide prevention - part of that is to learn and share the warning signs of youth suicide. Our prevention partners at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) remind us to add the Suicide Prevention #988 Lifeline to our phones now - it could save a life later!

Trained crisis counselors are available to talk 24/7/365 at 988Lifeline.org. Simply listening and providing support can make a significant difference in the life of a child, adolescent, or adult.

Take Action if you notice any of the following signs in family or friends:

*talking about or making plans for suicide

*expressing hopelessness about the future
*displaying overwhelming emotional pain or distress

*showing worrisome changes in behavior
*withdrawal from or changing social connections
*changes in sleep
*anger or hostility that comes out of character

*recent increased agitation or irritability

Evidence shows that providing support services, talking about suicide, reducing access to means of self-harm, and following up with loved ones are just some of the actions we can all take to help others. Reach out to call or text 988 or chat online. 

Help Yourself & Share to Help Others

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help

 

Happy 250th Birthday America!

 

This weekend, our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence commemorating our independence from Great Britain following the Revolutionary War. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration for our country to become the United States of America. This historic milestone provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation's past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look forward to the future that we want to create for next generation and beyond.

July 4 Trivia: What Day was the Declaration of Independence Signed By the Most Delegates? Was it: July 5 - August 2 - July 19 - September 3?

Fireworks displays are usually the highlight of many Independence Day celebrations with colors lighting up the night sky across the nation. According to the Farmers' Almanac, the origins of fireworks originally came from China - but the earliest forms of "firecrackers" came from a discovery almost 2,000 years ago when people would heat bamboo stalks until they blackened and exploded under the pressure of heated air inside them.

Fireworks have been part of the American tradition since the founding of our nation. John Adadms envisioned great celebrations when he wrote a letter on July 3, 1776 - a day before the Continental Congress adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence. He said that festivities should include "pomp and parade with shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of the continent to the other from this time forever more." 

The first official fireworks displays began in 1776 with the first Fourth of July fireworks over Philadelphia's night sky, a tradition that continues with spectacular fireworks every July 4 celebration.

Wishing you & your family a safe and happy holiday celebration! 💙👪 💗

Here's a list of Independence Day Events in our area, thanks to our friends at Lakeland Mom.

https://lakelandmom.com/4th-of-july-fireworks-lakeland-polk-county/?

You Make a Difference Every Day in Your Children’s Lives

 

InnerAct Alliance joins our prevention partners at Informed Families and SAMHSA during National Make A Difference to Children Month observed throughout July to encourage parents, caregivers, and influential adults to make a difference and do your best to be drug-free role models to empower kids to reach for the stars! ⭐ 

With substances becoming increasingly dangerous, appealing, addictive, and easier to conceal, taking time to talk about alcohol and drugs with our kids is more important than ever. Research tells us that having two-way family conversations about the risks of substance use and clearly communicating family expectations discouraging use can greatly reduce the likelihood of our children experimenting with alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. 🚫🚭💊

As caring adults, we want to be their most trusted source of information, guidance, and support on these complicated topics. 👪

Trusted Resources

https://www.informedfamilies.org/catalyst/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-drug-prevention

https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you/parent-resources/five-conversation-goals

Safe Driving Starts at Home with Clear, Simples Rules

 

The 4th of July holiday weekend is often one of the deadliest stretches of the summer for teen drivers. And with more than 61 million people expected to travel by car over the holiday period, we urge families to make time to have quick and direct conversations about seat belts, distracted driving, and impaired driving before teens hit the road for holiday driving.🧨

Federal data estimates show that about 2,100 teens die each year in automobile crashes. In the summertime when more young drivers are on the roads going to vacations, parties, and late-night outings, an average of about 9 teens die each day.

Impairment is often a factor in these crashes. 2024 July Fourth data cites impairment as a factor in 38% of fatalities - higher than the roughly 30% average across the year. Smartphones and in-car notifications are often the cause and the risk is compounded by excessive speed and inexperienced driving.

Parents can make a difference by setting clear expectations before handing over the car keys - a simple 5-10-minute conversation to go over teh rules of safe driving can save lives. Talk openly and remind your teen to keep their eyes on the road and their phones out of reach when driving to avoid temptation. Stress seat belt use, which has been shown to reduce fatalities by 45% among front-seat occupants and cut risk of severe injury in half.

Let's keep our kids and our roads safe! To read more about safety tips for parents and teens, visit: https://www.100safestdaysofsummer.org/

Lessons from Summer

 

Summertime brings to mind an easier way of life with sunny days and warm nights full of possibilities to engage in activities that invigorate our senses and enliven our souls. Although the vibe may be slow and leisurely, we can embrace summer as a season of growth with time to cultivate new passions, nurture our well-being, and discover new connections with nature and with others.

It's been a while since we featured an inspirational post from our friends at @Positively Present and today seemed as good a time as any to take a look at the practical lessons we can learn from the good ol' summertime!

*Taking time to notice the little things is always worth it

*Rough waters and stormy seas never last forever

*It's good to get out of your own bubble sometimes

*Venturing to new places leads to more self-awareness

*Asking for help is a sign of strength

*Your bottled emotions will come out eventually

*Don't settle for people who block your sunshine

*You don't have to make lemonade with life's lemons

We hope that these colorful reminders will help you let go of what is holding you back - and instead, step out of your comfort zone to channel positive energy and embrace the warmth and vibrant spirit that summer offers to us! 🌞