Dare County Commissioner Ervin Bateman is leading efforts to ban kratom and similar substances across North Carolina. Bateman, a recovering alcoholic with 34 years of sobriety, argues that these unregulated products are being used as substitutes for harder drugs, particularly among young people and those in recovery.
Kratom, an herbal substance with opioid-like effects, is at the center of this controversy. While the National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that serious side effects are rare, Bateman believes its availability poses a threat to those seeking complete sobriety.
The county plans to draft a standalone resolution for the state legislature, hoping for better success than a previous attempt that was bundled with marijuana legislation. Despite some residents questioning the priority of this issue, Bateman remains committed to proactive measures in addiction recovery.