Two Deaths Attributed To New Substance In Chester County

WEST CHESTER, PA — Officials announced that "acute mitragynine intoxication" was responsible for two recent deaths in Chester County.

The drug mitragynine is produced by the southeastern Asian plant mitragyna speciosa, the Chester County's Coroners Office said. Commerically known as kratom, the product is legal to buy and use in Pennsylvania. It is in the coffee family and is used as a stimulant or pain killer.

“Unfortunately, there is little research available on kratom," said Dr. Christina VandePol, Chester County Coroner. "These deaths obviously raise our level of concern, however, and I encourage health care providers to be on the alert for its use in our community.”

Both the FDA and DEA have expressed concerns regarding the drug, though it remains unregulated.

The two deaths were ruled accidental. Ryan Jones, of Caln Township, passed away on April 30, while Caleb Jonathan Sturgis of West Bradford passed away on June 27.

Though the drug is not illegal, authorities warn the pubic not to ingest any product that has kratom, mitragynine, or 7-hyrdoxmitragynine in it.

Patch file photo