My husband, a recovering addict, found Kratom in a local store one day, and since then his entire personality has changed drastically. The worst part is, he can legally get high. The same ease in which one can purchase a soda, he can buy Kratom. This loop in our law and oversight in regulations has brought nothing but misery to my family. Kratom is accessible just about anywhere, and many people, like my husband, use it as a means to get high. Kratom can often go undetected on a drug test. This is the reality for many families, just like ours, across Hinds county, struggling and desperate for a solution.

Surprisingly, while other cities across the nation acknowledge the impact Kratom misuse and abuse can have on families and societies, our county lags behind. It has been reported that kratom abuse can lead to dependence and addiction, cause various physical side effects, and also cognitive impairment (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2019). It's high time we addressed this situation.

We’re pleading for change. We must not let our loved ones fall prey to such substances. We urge our lawmakers to ban the sales of Kratom in Hinds County, taking it off the shelves and making our cities safer from substance abuse. Please, help us protect our families and communities. Sign this petition to ban the sales of Kratom in Hinds County.