Here’s why we shouldn’t legalise ketum
From Lim Soon Hong
As a pharmacist, I am deeply concerned over irresponsible politicians lobbying for the legalisation of kratom or ketum.
As mentioned on the well-known Mayo Clinic website, kratom is unsafe and ineffective.
It states: “Although people who take kratom believe in its value, researchers who have studied kratom think its side effects and safety problems more than offset any potential benefit.
“Poison control centres in the US received about 1,800 reports involving use of kratom from 2011 through 2017, including reports of death. About half of these exposures resulted in serious negative outcomes, such as seizures and high blood pressure.
“Five of the seven infants reported to have been exposed to kratom went through withdrawal. Kratom has been classified as possibly unsafe when taken orally.”
Kratom has a number of known side effects, including weight loss, dry mouth, chills, nausea, vomiting, changes in urine and constipation, liver damage and muscle pain.
Kratom also affects the mind and nervous system, resulting in dizziness, drowsiness, hallucinations, delusions, depression, breathing suppression, seizure, coma and even death.
I hope the government will stand firm on this issue, and not give in to irresponsible politicians with vested interests.
Kratom is addictive. Our future generations deserve a better future – not one stained with kratom abuse.
Lim Soon Hong is a pharmacist and an FMT reader.
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