Appreciates local action on Kratom
On behalf of the Crime and Addiction Task Force of the Lowndes Community Foundation we would like to thank Mayor Robert Smith and the Columbus Council, Mayor Mitch Wiggins and the Board of Aldermen of Caledonia, and the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors for their recent vote to ban the purchase and sale of Kratom in our community.
What has happened locally has had an impact and influence throughout the state of Mississippi. In recent weeks Itawamba County and Tishamingo County have also passed a ban along with the City of Fulton, the City of Mantachie, and the City of Pontotoc. We have been advised that other cities and counties are also considering taking action in the upcoming weeks and months.
Not only have many people reached out to our Task Force in the state of Mississippi, but even from beyond our borders. I received a call recently from a former government official in the Dallas, Texas Metroplex area. He advised me that in November 2017 he found his 24-year-old son dead of a Kratom overdose. He wants to start taking action in Texas and has indicated to me that they would like the advice and counsel of us in Columbus and Lowndes County to help them in their process.
According to the New York State Office on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Kratom has the same narcotic effects as morphine when abused in high doses. In 2013 the United States Drug Enforcement Administration stated, “There is no legitimate medical use for Kratom.” According to the FDA in 2018, there have been no formal trials to study the efficacy of Kratom to treat opioid addiction.
We as a task force believe that Kratom is dangerous, destructive, highly addictive and that it destroys lives and families and has no place in our community or any other community. It is a controlled substance in 16 countries and has been banned in 8 states as well as various counties and cities in the U.S. We as a task force do not believe that people ought to obtain their meds from convenience stores and gas stations.
On a personal note I would like to thank all the members of our task force. We have been meeting for 8 months and would not have been able to accomplish all that has been achieved without the hard work of every member.
Glenn Lautzenhiser
Chairman, Crime and Addiction Task Force
Lowndes Community Foundation
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.