Urgent and Emerging Issues in Prevention: Marijuana, Kratom, E

Urgent and Emerging Issues in

Prevention:

Marijuana, Kratom, E-cigarettes

Elinore F. McCance-Katz, MD, PhD

Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

SAMHSA Prevention Day 2019

Preventionists-Key to the Health and Welfare of Americans

• Opioids crisis continues, but with evidence for positive effects of government

efforts in partnership with states, communities, organizations

• Ongoing work of preventionists, clinicians, peers, first responders, faith-based

groups, volunteers, families

• Major decline in heroin initiates in 2017

• Large increases in naloxone distribution, overdose reversals

• Prevention becomes even more important as we watch the unfolding story of the

impact of substance use on American communities

• Preventionists: the first line in addressing the risks presented by substance use in

our communities

• Increased focus on potential harms of substances

• Raise awareness of risks with substance use

• Community outreach to youth as well as adults

Substances of Increasing Importance: Marijuana, Kratom

and E-cigarettes (Nicotine)

• Marijuana/cannabis:

• Increasing prevalence of use

• Increasing understanding of risks associated with use

• Public lack of information on these risks

• Opioids Issues:

• Fentanyl-Contaminated Cocaine

• Kratom

• Botanical that at low doses produce stimulation and at higher doses produce opioid

effects

• Potential for physical dependence and opioid-type effects/toxicities

• Marketed in Western countries and increasing use/toxicities being reported

• E-cigarettes

• Vaping: heating and aerosolizing nicotine for inhalation

• Nicotine is addictive and has adverse health effects

• In 2017 e-cigs were the most commonly used nicotine product among high (11.7%;

1.73 million) and middle (3.3%; 0.39 million) school students.

Marijuana: The Issue

• Marijuana is rapidly becoming more widely available in the U.S.

• 33 states: allow medical marijuana with reduced penalties for

possession; 9 states plus DC have legalized recreational use

• Huge and profitable industry that markets heavily with health

claims that have little to no basis and which have had virtually

no counter arguments put forward until the present time

• Numerous forms: smoked, edibles, oil for vaping, lotions,

transdermal patches

Marijuana: The Issue

• Increasing potency of marijuana:

• THC content: 3.8% (1990s) increased to 12.2% (2014)

• Average MJ extract has THC levels at > 50%

• THC: component responsible for euphoria/intoxication

• Can also produce anxiety, agitation, paranoia, and psychosis

• Responsible for addiction liability with estimates that 10-20% of

users will develop a use disorder (Volkow ND et al. 2016)

• Declining CBD content in currently available MJ

• Not thought to be addictive

• May reduce psychosis

• Medical value: FDA approved for certain seizure disorders (Ehsoly MA et al. 2016)

Risks and Adverse Outcomes

• Downplayed by industry; ignored by states

• Low birth weight

• Pulmonary symptoms

• MVAs

• Cognitive impairment

• Poor performance in school and at work

• Addiction

State

Effective

Date

2012-13

Percentages

2012-13

Numbers

2013-14

Percentages

2013-14

Numbers

2014-15

Percentages

2014-15

Numbers

2015-16

Percentages

2015-16

Numbers

Alabama

N/A

9.69%

389

9.98%

404

9.60%

389

9.50%

386

Georgia

N/A

11.44%

925

11.75%

963

12.67%

1,052

12.46%

1,048

Idaho

N/A

9.82%

127

11.58%

152

11.40%

152

11.62%

158

Indiana

N/A

11.05%

598

12.86%

700

13.88%

760

13.35%

733

Iowa

N/A

10.40%

266

9.74%

251

9.05%

235

9.75%

254

Kansas

N/A

8.21%

192

11.01%

259

12.38%

292

11.17%

265

Kentucky

N/A

9.22%

334

10.93%

398

12.28%

449

12.79%

470

Louisiana

N/A

10.76%

405

11.23%

425

11.22%

427

11.22%

429

Mississippi

N/A

8.78%

213

9.40%

229

8.67%

212

9.46%

231

Missouri

N/A

11.64%

581

12.73%

639

13.53%

683

13.19%

668

Nebraska

N/A

9.98%

152

10.35%

158

10.75%

166

11.33%

176

North Carolina

N/A

10.88%

877

12.07%

986

11.79%

975

11.90%

996

North Dakota

N/A

9.92%

10.25%

9.90%

9.80%

Oklahoma

N/A

9.97%

310

10.75%

338

11.28%

358

11.18%

357

South Carolina

N/A

11.72%

460

11.55%

460

12.56%

507

10.92%

448

South Dakota

N/A

9.64%

8.97%

10.77%

11.85%

Tennessee

N/A

9.93%

535

10.29%

560

11.05%

606

12.82%

709

Texas

N/A

9.38%

1,972

9.52%

2,043

10.10%

2,213

10.14%

2,264

Utah

N/A

8.76%

196

9.84%

224

9.07%

211

9.62%

229

Virginia

N/A

12.39%

839

13.04%

891

11.54%

796

11.06%

768

West Virginia

N/A

10.12%

159

10.93%

172

11.07%

174

11.45%

179

Wisconsin

N/A

11.12%

534

11.86%

572

12.05%

584

12.18%

592

Wyoming

N/A

10.11%

10.72%

10.87%

10.62%

What Happens as State Laws Liberalize?

Past Year Marijuana Use among Persons Aged 12 or Older Residing in States with No

Legalization of Marijuana, by State: Percentages and Estimated Numbers (in

Thousands), Annual Averages Based on 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014-2015, and

2015-2016 NSDUHs

Range: 9-13%

State

Effective Date 2012-13

Percentages

2012-13

Numbers

2013-14

Percentages

2013-14

Numbers

2014-15

Percentages

2014-15

Numbers

2015-16

Percentages

2015-16

Numbers

Arizona

Nov 2, 2010

12.94%

699

13.69%

752

13.12%

734

12.22%

696

Arkansas

Nov 9, 2016

9.69%

235

11.37%

277

11.59%

284

11.14%

274

Connecticut

Oct 1, 2012

14.00%

425

14.00%

427

15.67%

479

15.08%

461

Delaware

Jul 1, 2011

13.97%

108

13.98%

109

13.06%

103

13.18%

105

Florida

Jan 3, 2017

11.43%

1,885

11.87%

1,990

12.59%

2,152

13.07%

2,275

Hawaii

Dec 28, 2000

13.37%

151

12.58%

144

12.72%

147

13.05%

151

Illinois

Jan 1, 2014

11.66%

1,247

12.16%

1,305

12.47%

1,339

12.31%

1,320

Maryland

Jun 1, 2014

11.47%

565

13.48%

670

15.13%

757

15.50%

779

Michigan

Dec 4, 2008

15.22%

1,268

15.60%

1,304

15.10%

1,266

15.68%

1,317

Minnesota

May 30, 2014

11.93%

536

12.22%

553

12.69%

579

12.91%

592

Montana

Nov 2, 2004

15.78%

134

14.07%

120

15.38%

133

18.41%

160

New Hampshire

Jul 23, 2013

15.39%

175

16.95%

194

17.35%

199

17.58%

202

New Jersey

Jul 1, 2010

10.18%

759

11.25%

844

11.86%

894

12.01%

907

New Mexico

Jul 1, 2007

15.09%

257

15.61%

267

14.72%

253

15.83%

272

New York

Jul 5, 2014

14.13%

2,342

14.24%

2,372

15.04%

2,519

14.86%

2,491

Ohio

Sep 8, 2016

12.81%

1,237

11.57%

1,122

12.13%

1,179

13.81%

1,344

Pennsylvania

May 17, 2016

11.33%

1,223

11.70%

1,265

12.35%

1,339

13.05%

1,415

Rhode Island

Jan 3, 2006

20.22%

181

18.95%

170

18.81%

170

20.31%

184

Vermont

Jul 1, 2004

19.10%

104

19.97%

108

20.50%

111

21.79%

118

What Happens as State Laws Liberalize?

Past Year Marijuana Use among Persons Aged 12 or Older Residing in States with

Legal Medical Marijuana Use Only, by State: Percentages and Estimated Numbers

(in Thousands), Annual Averages Based on 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014-2015, and

2015-2016 NSDUHs

Range: 11-21.8%

State

Effective Date 2012-13

Percentages

2012-13

Numbers

2013-14

Percentages

2013-14

Numbers

2014-15

Percentages

2014-15

Numbers

2015-16

Percentages

2015-16

Numbers

Alaska

Feb 24, 2015 19.69% 114 19.60% 114 21.92% 127 23.00% 134

California

Nov 9, 2016

(revised penalties) 13.89% 4,384 14.49% 4,633 15.25% 4,936 16.23% 5,296

Colorado

Dec 10, 2012

(revised penalties);

Jan 1, 2014

(commercial sales) 18.92% 814 20.74% 909 23.09% 1,033 23.12% 1,057

District of

Columbia

Feb 26, 2015 21.02% 116 21.70% 121 23.51% 134 24.68% 143

Maine

Jan 30, 2017

(grow and possess) 16.24% 186 19.55% 224 19.69% 227 19.81% 228

Massachusetts

Dec 15, 2016 15.57% 885 17.23% 989 18.26% 1,058 18.64% 1,088

Nevada

Jan 1, 2017 14.10% 324 13.01% 304 12.95% 309 13.13% 319

Oregon

Mar 29, 2016 19.03% 630 19.39% 649 19.42% 659 22.70% 783

Washington

Dec 6, 2012 17.48% 1,008 18.92% 1,105 17.49% 1,037 18.93% 1,140

What Happens as State Laws Liberalize?

Past Year Marijuana Use among Persons Aged 12 or Older Residing in States with Legal

Medical and Recreational Marijuana Use, by State: Percentages and Estimated Numbers

(in Thousands), Annual Averages Based on 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014-2015, and

2015-2016 NSDUHs

Range: 13-25%

Illicit Drug Use Impacts Millions: Marijuana Most Widely Used Drug

20.1

MILLION

People aged 12 or

older had a

substance use

disorder

0.3%

0.6%

1.9%

2.2%

6.6%

15.0%

Heroin

Methamphetamines

Inhalants

Hallucinogens

Cocaine

Psychotherapeutic Drugs

Marijuana

40.9 MILLION

18.1 MILLION

5.9 MILLION

5.1 MILLION

1.6 MILLION

1.8 MILLION

886,000

12%

14%

10%

16%

Prescription opioids, sedatives,

tranquilizers, stimulants

PAST YEAR, 2017, 12+

How did we get to where we are and

what does the data tell us about

ongoing risks?

Young Adult Perceptions of Great Risk of Harm From Substance Use

See table 3.1 in the 2016 and 2017 NSDUH detailed tables for additional information.

PAST YEAR, 2015 - 2017, 18-25

+ Difference between this estimate and the 2017

estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level.

Perceptions of Great Risk of Harm From Substance Use Among Adults Aged

26 or Older

See table 3.1 in the 2016 and 2017 NSDUH detailed tables for additional information.

PAST YEAR, 2015 - 2017, 26+

+ Difference between this estimate and the 2017

estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level.

Past Year Initiates, Age Group & Substance

PAST YEAR, 2017, 12+

* Initiation of misuse

• Since 2007, past

year marijuana use

has increased 37%

• Frequent marijuana

use (using ≥ 200

days in the past

year) increased 37%

since 2002

• Nearly 1 in 3 people

using marijuana in

2016 reported using

≥ 200 days in the

past year

Past Year Marijuana Use Use of Marijuana 200 Days or More in

Past Year Among Those Reporting

Past Year Marijauna Use

Percent

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Source: Jones CM Analysis of the NSDUH 2002-2016 Public Use Files

Marijuana Use Is Increasing in the U.S.

Marijuana Use

PAST MONTH, 2015 - 2017, 12+

See figure 13 in the 2017 NSDUH Report for additional information.

+ Difference between this estimate and the 2017

estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level.

+ Difference between this

estimate and the 2017

estimate is statistically

significant at the .05 level.

Marijuana Use among Young Adults: Significant Increases in Women

PAST MONTH, 2015 - 2017, 18 - 25

Special analysis of the 2017 NSDUH Report.

+ Difference between this estimate and the 2017

estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level.

Substance Use in Past Month Among Pregnant Women

Special analysis of the 2017 NSDUH Report.

+ Difference between this estimate and the 2017

estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level.

PAST MONTH, 2015 - 2017, 15 - 44

Daily or Almost Daily Marijuana Use among Women by Pregnancy Status

PAST YEAR, 2015 - 2017, 15 - 44

Special analysis of the 2017 NSDUH Report.

+ Difference between this estimate and the 2017

estimate is statistically significant at the .05 level.

Why is this Data Important?

Marijuana and Pregnancy

May be associated with:

• Fetal growth restriction

• Stillbirth

• Preterm birth

May cause problems with neurological

development:

• Hyperactivity

• Poor cognitive function (Metz TD and Stickrath EH, 2015)

Co-Occurring Disorders: Youth Opioid Misuse, Heavy Alcohol Use, and

Major Depressive Episode (MDE) by Marijuana Use Status

Special analysis of the 2017 NSDUH Report.

+ Difference between this estimate and the

estimate youth with past year marijuana use is

statistically significant at the .05 level.

PAST YEAR/MONTH, 2017, 12 - 17

Co-Occurring Disorders: Young Adult Opioid Misuse, Heavy Alcohol Use,

and Major Depressive Episode by Marijuana Use Status

PAST YEAR/MONTH, 2017, 18 - 25

Special analysis of the 2017 NSDUH Report.

+ Difference between this estimate and the

estimate with past year marijuana use is

statistically significant at the .05 level.

Co-Occurring Disorders: Adult Opioid Misuse, Heavy Alcohol Use, and

Major Depressive Episode by Marijuana Use Status

PAST YEAR/MONTH, 2017, 26+

Special analysis of the 2017 NSDUH Report.

+ Difference between this estimate and the

estimate with past year marijuana use is

statistically significant at the .05 level.

Average Point Difference in IQ Score

(IQ at age 38

– IQ at age 13)

Intelligence:

PERSISTENT CANNABIS (MARIJUANA) USE DISORDER

LINKED TO SIGNIFICANT IQ DROP

BETWEEN CHILDHOOD AND MIDLIFE

Source: Meier MH et al., PNAS Early Edition 2012

 Followed 1,037 individuals from birth to age 38.

 Tested marijuana use and disorders at 18, 21, 26, 32 and 38 years of

age.

 Tested for IQ at ages 13 and 38

-8

-6

-4

-2

Never Used Marijuana Cannabis Dependence in 1

Study Wave

Cannabis Dependence in 2

Study Waves

Cannabis Dependence in 3

Study Waves

All groups started with roughly

equivalent IQ scores at age 13

By age 38, those who were

diagnosed with cannabis

dependence in 3 study waves

(the most persistent

users of cannabis) had lost nearly

6 IQ points by the age of 38

There was a consistent dose-

response relationship across the

groups

Marijuana Use: Link to Prescription Pain Medication (Opioid) Abuse

Association of marijuana use with abuse of prescription pain medications and addiction

2.62

2.78

Risk of incident prescription

opioid misuse

Risk of incident prescription

opioid use disorder

Risk of subsequent prescription opioid

misuse and use disorder was increased

among people who reported marijuana use

5 years earlier

Marijuana-Associated Psychosis

Source: Andréasson et al Lancet, 1987.

<50

>50

Number of times marijuana taken

Cases per 1,000

4.5

1.6

Cannabis users by age

15 years

Cannabis users by age

18 years

Odds ratio

Risk of schizophrenia

increases as

marijuana use

increases

Higher risk of

schizophrenia-like

psychosis with younger age

of first marijuana use

Source: Arseneault et al BMJ, 2002

Drug Risks Associated with Marijuana Use Among U.S. Adults 18 and Older

* Result is not statistically significantly different

2.9

3.0

1.6

2.9

3.8

5.6

15.5

6.6

4.0

2.2

6.0

9.0

10.8

23.0

6.3

4.1

3.1

8.0

9.8

7.6

36.8

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

35.0

40.0

Increased Risk for Adverse Outcome

Increased Risk for Ever Using Marijuana (but no past year use) Compared

to Never Using Marijuana

Increased Risk for Past Year Marijuana Use Compared to Never Using

Marijuana

Increased Risk for Past Year Use of Marijuana 200 Days or More Compared

to Never Using Marijuana

Source: Jones CM Analysis of 2015-2016 NSDUH Public Use File Data

Mental Health and Social Risks of Marijuana Use Among U.S. Adults 18 and Older

Source: Jones CM Analysis of 2015-2016 NSDUH Public Use File

Data

* Result is not statistically significantly different

1.6

1.4

1.1

2.5

1.2

2.0

1.5

1.2

2.1

1.2

2.2

1.7

1.4

2.4

1.3

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

Any mental illness Serious mental illness Unemployed Probation or parole Government assistance program

Increased Risk for Ever Using Marijuana (but no past year use) Compared to Never Using Marijuana

Increased Risk for Past Year Marijuana Use Compared to Never Using Marijuana

Increased Risk for Past Year Use of Marijuana 200 Days or More Compared to Never Using Marijuana

Increased Risk for Adverse Outcome

Adverse outcomes linked to marijuana use by youth:

Poor school performance and increased drop out rates

Chronic use in adolescence has been linked to decline in IQ that

may not recover with cessation (Meier et al. 2012)

Marijuana use in adolescence is associated with an increased risk

for later psychotic disorder in adulthood (D’Souza, et al. 2016)

Marijuana use linked to earlier onset of psychosis in youth known

to be at risk for schizophrenia (McHugh, et al. 2017)

Summary: Consequences of Marijuana Use

Acute, intoxicating effects of marijuana:

• Distorts perception; poor judgment and poor decision making

(e.g.: unprotected sex, driving while intoxicated)

• Impairment in balance and coordination (important to injury risk

in activities such as driving, sports)

• Difficulty with attention, concentration, and problem solving

• Difficulty with learning and memory (immediate and recall)

Marijuana Use: Health Consequences

• Significant numbers who try marijuana will become addicted

(Lopez-Quintero, et al. 2011)

• Higher overall rates of car crashes in states that have

legalized (WAPO, June 2017)

• Association of marijuana use with abuse of prescription pain

medications (Olfson et al. 2017)

Summary: Consequences of Marijuana Use

Is There Medical Use for Marijuana?

• Evidence for some medical value of some components

• CBD and seizure disorder (Dravet’s syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome)

• THC products for wasting illnesses and appetite production

• Medications must have undergone substantial research to answer critical

questions before getting to market and widespread use in humans:

• Isolation of single components; manufacture processes

• Delivery mechanism

• Pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics

• Dose-response relationships (e.g.: doubling a dose may or may not double

the effect)

• Therapeutic range

• Adverse events: what are they and how best to avoid/address should they

occur?

• These types of studies would be difficult for marijuana because there are so

many components

Where Do We Go From Here?

• Government has a responsibility to inform Americans of the risks of marijuana use

• People need to be able to make informed choices

• States should consider short and long term issues related to marijuana

• Tax revenue

• Societal costs

• Government costs

Major Issue to Consider: Marijuana has gotten ahead of regulation

• How do we define intoxication?

• What are the ‘legal limits’ of use (equivalent to BAC)

• How should marijuana sales centers be regulated (should we better control the opening of marijuana

sales locations?)

• Should warning labels be required on marijuana products?

• How do we assure that underage sales are not occurring? (as with tobacco products, for example)

• Should people be allowed to openly use in public?

• Should people be allowed to use and operate motor vehicles?

• What are the penalties?

New Stimulant Toxicity: Fentanyl-Contaminated Cocaine

Cocaine laced with fentanyl:

7% of cocaine seized in New England in 2017 was contaminated with fentanyl

Connecticut: deaths involving fentanyl-laced cocaine up 420% in last 3 years

Reported increases in deaths in NYC, PA, MA, NJ, OH, CA

https://www.ncadd.org/blogs/in-the-news/cocaine-laced-with-fentanyl-causing-growing-number-of-deaths

Why?

Poor quality control in packaging?

High Risk Groups:

Primary cocaine users

Opioid users may use cocaine to counteract sedation/intensify effect of opioid

• Underscores the need to warn the public and provide treatment for cocaine use disorders

• Epidemic is not just about opioid addiction

Cocaine users lack opioid tolerance: fentanyl overdose/death more likely

• Naloxone

• Discourage use alone

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/03/29/597717402/fentanyl-laced-cocaine-becoming-a-deadly-problem-among-drug-users

Kratom

• Kratom is a tropical tree (Mitragyna speciose) native to Southeast Asia, used

traditionally to combat fatigue and improve work productivity among farm

populations in Southeast Asia

• Has recently become popular as a novel psychoactive substance in Western

countries (Cinosi et al, 2015).

• FDA is concerned that kratom, which affects the same opioid brain receptors as

morphine, appears to have properties that expose users to the risks of addiction,

abuse, and dependence

• Currently, there are no FDA-approved uses for kratom, and the agency

has received concerning reports about its safety

• Kratom preparations contain varying amounts of several

phytochemicals, making their pharmacological and

toxicological evaluation unique and difficult.

• More than 20 alkaloids in kratom have been identified in

the laboratory.

• Mitragynine is classified as a kappa-opioid receptor agonist

and is roughly 13 times more potent than morphine.

• Mitragynine/OH-mitragynine thought to be responsible for

the opioid-like effects.

Kratom Extract Composition

Source: Cinosi E.; Martinotti; et all. Following “the Roots” of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): The Evolution of an Enhancer from a

Traditional Use to Increase Work and Productivity in Southeast Asia to a Recreational Psychoactive Drug in Western Countries; Biomed

Res Int. 2015; 2015: 968786

• Capsules

• Pills

• Extract

• Leaves

• Chewed

• Brewed as tea

• Smoked

Kratom: How Used

The effects of kratom in humans are dose-dependent:

• Small doses produce stimulatory effects resembling

the stimulant effect of drugs such as cocaine or

amphetamines.

• Larger dosages associated with sedative-narcotic,

pain reducing effects that resemble drugs such as

opiates.

• Regular kratom use is associated with addictive

disorders, as evidenced by craving and compulsive

use. Opioid withdrawal symptoms upon cessation.

Kratom: Effects

SOURCE: Prozialeck W. C., Jivan J. K., Andurkar S. V. Pharmacology of Kratom: an emerging botanical agent with stimulant, analgesic and opioid-

like effects. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 2012;112(12):792–799; Singh, 2014; Suwanlert, 1975; Ahmad and Aziz, 2012;

Vicknasingam et al., 2010; Singh et al., 2014

• An anonymous online survey was conducted in October 2016 of 10,000 current

kratom users through available social media and from the American Kratom

Association (https://speciosa.org/home/ )

• 8,049 respondents completed the survey.

• Findings:

• Kratom was primarily used by a middle-aged (31-50 years) males (56.91%) with

income $35,000 or higher with private insurance (61.31%).

• Kratom was used to self-treat pain (68%) and emotional or mental conditions

(66%) and for withdrawal symptoms associated with prescription opioid use.

• Subjects reported dose-dependent nausea and constipation with high doses

(5g) and with and frequent dosing (Q22 doses/wk).

Use of Kratom in the US

SOURCE: Grundmann O.; Patterns of kratom use and health impact in the USVresults from an online survey. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2017;

175(5):63Y70.

National Poison Data System - United States and Puerto Rico

January 2010–December 2015

Number of Kratom-related Reported Exposure Calls to Poison Centers in

the US

SOURCE: Anwar M, Law R, Schier J. Notes from the Field. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) Exposures Reported to Poison Centers — United

States, 2010–2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65:748–749. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6529a4

Fatal Overdoses Involving Kratom

States ME

OH PA RI

Total

Opioid overdose

deaths

301 402 322

4,534

3,231

265 844

825

10,724

Deaths involving

kratom

4 2 1 3 8 1 5 1 25

Percent

involving

kratom

1.3%

0.5%

0.3%

0.07

0.25

0.4%

0.6%

0.1%

0.23%

Source: CDC SUDORS Overdose Death Data

From July 2016 to June 2017, 25 fatal overdoses involving

kratom across 8 CDC SUDORS states were identified

Caution: testing of kratom is not uniform thus these numbers are underestimates

In 2017, the Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) began

issuing a series of warnings

about kratom and has now

identified at least 44 deaths

related to its use.

Most kratom associated deaths

appeared to have resulted from

adulterated products or taking

kratom along with other potent

substances.

• Kratom has gained popularity for its euphoric effects and is being popularized as a

safe herbal product capable of giving a “legal” high (Swogger et al., 2015), and as an

alternative to other sedative and stimulant type drugs (Warner et al., 2016).

• Reports of physical dependence on kratom in Western nations emerge from case

reports from the UK (Boyer et al., 2008, McWhirter and Morris, 2010), Germany (Kapp et al., 2011) and the

US (Dorman et al., 2014, Nelsen et al., 2010, Forrester, 2013, Sheleg and Collins, 2011).

• It can be surmised that given the large and growing number of internet purchase

sites for kratom (cited in Cinosi et al., 2015), addiction to kratom is also likely to be growing

in the Western countries.

• No treatment specific for kratom addiction available

• One case of NAS in an infant whose mother was a kratom user and who responded

to opioid treatment.

Kratom Concerns

Kratom is restricted or illegal in:

Australia Lithuania Romania

Denmark Myanmar South Korea

Finland Malaysia Sweden

Israel Poland Thailand

United Kingdom

International Status of Kratom

Scheduling under consideration in U.S.

On November 14, 2017, the FDA issued a public health advisory related to

mounting concerns regarding the risks associated with kratom and reported

deaths with use.

• Kratom is a recognized emerging public health threat (MMWR. July 29, 2016;65(29):748Y749)

• People need to understand that ‘‘legal’’ and ‘‘available’’ are not the same as

‘‘safe.’’

• In the West, kratom has been valued for its analgesic effects and to aid in

managing opioid withdrawal. However, some of these individual attempts

have resulted in cases of toxicity and fatalities.

• Physicians should be aware of these herbal supplements and potential

toxicity or withdrawal effects in patients including in newborns which cannot

be picked up by the standard toxicology screen (Davidson et al, 2018).

• Preventionists should be aware of this drug and work with their communities

raising awareness, providing education about effects and risks.

Conclusions

E-cigarettes

Vaping in the US: Trends and Effects

Cigarette Smoking Continues to Decline

Source: Adult cigarette smoking prevalence data are from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).

High school cigarette smoking prevalence data are from the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Cigarette

smoking prevalence

Adults 18+ High School Students

15.5% of adults are current smokers

7.6% of youth are current smokers

E-Cigarette Use on the Rise: Adult Ever Use of E-Cigarettes by Cigarette

Smoking Status – US, 2010-2017

Source: CDC. Styles Survey. 2010-2017

9.8

21.2

31.2

36.5

50.3

53.5

44.9

46.7

2.5

7.4

5.7

9.6

14.7

16.3

17.8

19.3

1.3

2.3

1.2

4.7

5.9

6.7

6.1

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Percentage (%)

Year

Current Cigarette Smoker

Former Cigarette Smoker

Never Cigarette Smoker

Cigarette Smoking Status Among Current

Adult E-Cigarette Users, by Age Group

Source: QuickStats: Cigarette Smoking Status Among Current Adult E-cigarette Users, by Age Group —

National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65:1177.

Current E-cigarette Use Among U.S. Adults, BRFSS, 2017

2.3% – 3.7%

3.8% – 4.2%

4.3% – 4.7%

4.8% – 7.1%

Current e-cigarette users: Persons who reported using

e-cigarettes or some other electronic “vaping” product

“some days” or “every day”

Youth E-cigarette Use: Infographic from CDC’s MMWR

Source: Cullen KA, Ambrose BK, Gentzke AS, Apelberg BJ, Jamal A, King BA. Notes from the Field:

Use of Electronic Cigarettes and Any Tobacco Product Among Middle and High School Students —

United States, 2011–2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67:1276–1277.

Current Use of E-cigarettes and Any Tobacco Product Among Middle and

High School Students— NYTS, US, 2011–2018

Source: Cullen KA, Ambrose BK, Gentzke AS, Apelberg BJ, Jamal A, King BA. Notes from the Field: Use of Electronic Cigarettes and Any Tobacco

Product Among Middle and High School Students — United States, 2011–2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67:1276–1277.

Adverse Health Effects of Nicotine

• Nicotine exposure during adolescence can result in addiction.

• Nicotine can harm the developing adolescent brain.

• Nicotine delivered by e-cigarettes during pregnancy can result

in multiple adverse consequences, including sudden infant

death syndrome, and could result in altered corpus callosum,

deficits in auditory processing, and obesity.

• Ingestion of e-cigarette liquids containing nicotine can cause

acute toxicity and possibly death if the contents of refill

cartridges or bottles containing nicotine are consumed.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young

Adults. A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention

and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2016.

E-cigarette Adverse Health Effects

• E-cigarettes expose users to several chemicals, in addition to

nicotine: heavy metals (chromium, lead, manganese, nickel and

zinc), arsenic, volatile organic compounds (propylene glycol or

glycerol), all known to have adverse health effects.

• The health effects and potentially harmful effects of doses of

heated and aerosolized constituents of e-cigarette liquids,

including solvents, flavorants, and toxicants, are not completely

understood.

• E-cigarettes can also be used to deliver other drugs, including

marijuana. In 2016, one-third of U.S. middle and high school

students who ever used e-cigarettes had used marijuana in e-

cigarettes.

Sources (Bullets 1-2): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. E-Cigarette Use Among Youth

and Young Adults. A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and

Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease

Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2016.

Bullet 3: Trivers KF, Phillips E, Gentzke AS, Tynan MA, Neff LJ. Prevalence of Cannabis Use in

Electronic Cigarettes Among US Youth. JAMA pediatrics. 2018;172(11):1097-1099.

• Marijuana:

• Continue NSDUH and DAWN data collection related to marijuana

• Provide education/training materials oriented to providers and to the public

related to marijuana risks

• Specific materials aimed at special populations e.g.: pregnant women, youth

• Assist in identification of hazardous use and use disorders with SBIRT

• Fund prevention, treatment and recovery services in states/communities

• Kratom

• Education for healthcare providers and the public on kratom properties/adverse effects

• PSAs

• E-cigarettes/vaping

• Add NSDUH questions to better understand epidemiology

• Education for healthcare professionals and public, PSAs

• Continue to speak out on known risks and accumulating evidence for adverse

effects of marijuana, kratom, and e-cigarettes/nicotine

SAMHSA Actions in coming year

Thank you!

Elinore.McCance-Ka[email protected].gov

Kratom:

Cinosi E.; Martinotti; et al. Following “the Roots” of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): The Evolution of an Enhancer from

a Traditional Use to Increase Work and Productivity in Southeast Asia to a Recreational Psychoactive Drug in Western

Countries; Biomed Res Int. 2015; 2015: 968786.

https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm584952.htm

The Surgeon General's Warning on Marijuana

The Surgeon General of the Public Health Service has issued the following warning on marijuana:

Marijuana use is a major public health problem in the United States. In the past 20 years, its' use has increased 30-fold; it estimated that more than a quarter of the

American population has used it. The age at which persons first use marijuana has decreased gradually to the junior high school years. Until recently, nearly 11% of

high school seniors used it, and although that figure has declined to 7%, its daily use still exceeds that of alcohol; more high school seniors use marijuana than smoke

cigarettes. In a recent study, 32% of those surveyed had used marijuana during the previous 30 days, while 25% had smoked tobacco.

On March 24, 1982, the Department of Health and Human Services submitted to Congress a report reviewing the consequences of marijuana use. Marijuana and

Health, 1982, ninth in a series, is primarily based on two recently conducted, comprehensive, scientific reviews by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy

of Sciences, the Canadian Addiction Research Foundation, and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Both independent reviews corroborate the Public Health Service's findings of health hazards associated with marijuana use: Acute intoxication with marijuana

interferes with many aspects of mental functioning and has serious, acute effects on perception and skilled performance, such as driving and other complex tasks

involving judgement or fine motor skills.

Among the known or suspected chronic effects of marijuana are:

short-term memory impairment and slowness of learning.

impaired lung function similar to that found in cigarette smokers. Indications are that more serious effects, such as cancer and other lung disease, follow extended use.

decreased sperm count and sperm motility.

interference with ovulation and pre-natal development.

impaired immune response.

possible adverse effects on heart function.

by-products of marijuana remaining in body fat for several weeks, with unknown consequences. The storage of these by-products increases the possiblilties for

chronic, as well as residual, effects on performance, even after the acute reaction to the drug has worn off. Of special concern are the long-term developmental

effects in children and adolescents, who are particularly vulnerable to the drug's behavioral and psychological effects. The "amotivational syndrome," characterized

by a pattern of energy loss, diminished school performance, harmed parental relationships, and other behavorial disruptions, has been associated with prolonged

marijuana use by young persons. Although more research is required, recent national surveys report that 40% of heavy users experience some or all of those symptoms.

The Public Health Service concludes that marijuana has a broad range of psychological and biological effects, many of which are dangerous and

harmful to health, and it supports the major conclusion of the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine.