Bay City Commissioners Meeting

Chief Medical Examiner for Bay County, Midland, Tuscola, Arenac and Iosco County, Dr. William Morrone offers guidance to Bay City commissioners in their meeting Monday night.

A psychoactive substance is sold in tobacco shops and gas stations it is called Kratom.

Morrone said, "For public safety, it should be restricted, monitored and observed with a city ordinance."

Dr. Morrone is also an Addiction consultant for Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority and Bay Arenac Behavioral Health. He has seen a new rise of patients looking for help to get off Kratom. Some of these patients are taking this herbal supplement every two hours. It interferes with their life and employment.

Kratom overdose deaths have been seen in Tuscola, Midland, and Bay County. Medicine and counseling can help these people.

Dr. Morrone reports that "Kratom addiction is growing in America."

Figure 1. Kratom, an herbal supplement with stimulant and opioid-like properties