Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/231222
Sarasota News Leader December 20, 2013 Additionally, she told the commissioners, the substance is banned by the U.S. Army and Navy, and — most important — "No one knows the short- and long-term effects of Kratom on those who choose to use it." Page 40 had admitted to using them, compared to 13 percent of all Florida high school students. Citing yet another study, Thomas said the Drug Abuse Warning Network reported that bath salts were involved in nearly 23,000 Where its effects are best known, she noted, emergency room visits across the nation it is a controlled or illegal substance. in 2011. Thomas showed the board a map with 20 Thomas also explained that a quantitative "smoke shops" pinpointed in a 50-mile radius validation had been undertaken of 945 volof Sarasota that sell Kratom. untary surveys completed by people through Among points of concern regarding synthetic the Sarasota County Community Alliance's cannabinoids, Thomas said the 2012 Florida Behavioral Health Stakeholders Consortium. Youth Substance Abuse Survey found 21.7 per- That analysis shows one out of five drug users cent of Sarasota County high school students have tried synthetic drugs, with 60 percent The synthetic drug Kratom has come under greater scrutiny, county staff says. Image courtesy Sarasota County