IDAHO FALLS, ID — The Bonneville County Coroner’s Office has issued a public health warning following six deaths tied to Kratom in the past 18 months, citing a sharp rise in fatalities linked to the herbal substance. Coroner Shante Sanchez said four of the deaths were caused solely by acute toxicity from mitragynine, the primary active compound in Kratom, and emphasized that the trend is becoming a significant concern for the community.

According to the coroner’s office, Kratom is now connected to roughly 18% of drug overdose fatalities in Bonneville County during the last year and a half. One investigation revealed a mitragynine concentration of 12,000 ng/mL — the highest level ever recorded by the county and nearly four times higher than national laboratory thresholds typically associated with overdose. The victims ranged in age from 19 to 42, and officials said the cases occurred within a relatively small age window, underscoring what they described as a clear and troubling pattern.

Kratom is derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree and is commonly sold as a powder, in capsules, or as a tea or liquid extract. Its effects vary widely, acting as a stimulant at low doses and producing opioid-like depressant effects at higher doses. The coroner’s office noted that the substance’s impact can be highly unpredictable, influenced by the dose, method of ingestion, and an individual’s medical and drug-use history. Despite being marketed as a natural remedy for pain relief or opioid withdrawal, Kratom is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for any medical use.

Sanchez urged residents to stop using Kratom and to seek medical assistance if they are relying on it for pain or addiction-related issues. “‘Natural’ does not mean ‘safe.’ Kratom can be deadly,” she said. “Our priority is providing the facts and ensuring community safety. Help us prevent further tragedies by sharing this information.”