LRADAC sees rising kratom addiction as store-bought products fuel new drug concerns
Columbia, S.C. (WACH) — Addiction specialists and public health officials are warning that South Carolina's drug landscape is rapidly changing, with newer substances such as fentanyl and kratom posing growing concerns alongside more familiar drugs.
Dozens of prevention professionals, counselors and community members gathered Monday at LRADAC's Columbia office for a meeting focused on emerging drug threats, current substance use trends and prevention strategies.
Ashley Boddiford, LRADAC's director of prevention, said many newer substances have not been studied long enough for experts to fully understand their long-term effects.
"These are the ones that we just simply don't have a lot of long-term data that support either their benefit or the negative consequences," Boddiford said.
While alcohol, nicotine and marijuana remain among the most commonly used substances, prevention specialists said they are seeing increased use of newer products that can be easily purchased in stores.
Shannon Shuler, director of Lexington County Services for LRADAC, said fentanyl and kratom have become increasingly common among people seeking treatment.
"In Lexington County, we're really seeing an uptick in fentanyl and kratom," Shuler said. "We are getting a good bit of people who are coming in with a kratom addiction and just trying to figure out how to manage it."
Kratom, a herbal product derived from a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, is widely sold at vape shops, gas stations and convenience stores. Counselors said many people initially use it for pain relief, increased energy or improved focus before developing dependence.
"The thing I think that is most concerning about kratom is that you can get it anywhere," Shuler said.
South Carolina lawmakers considered legislation this year that would have imposed additional regulations on kratom sales, but the proposal did not pass.
Boddiford said some synthetic or designer drugs are marketed as natural or herbal supplements, potentially leading consumers to believe they are safer than they actually are.
"What we're seeing is the shift around really high-level potency, really high levels of use, really strong quantities, and that's where we start to see those substances mimicking that of opioids," Boddiford said.
Health officials emphasized that substance misuse affects people of all ages and backgrounds. They encouraged families and friends to watch for noticeable changes in behavior that could indicate someone is struggling with addiction.
"Pay attention to behavior shifts, behavior changes," Boddiford said. "Maybe really envisioning someone is really different than what they used to be three months ago, six months ago."
Officials said community education and early intervention remain key tools in addressing substance misuse as new drugs continue to emerge across South Carolina.