The City of Monticello has taken a step towards making its community safer.

On the WHOW Morning Show Monday, Piatt County Mental Health Center Director Tony Kirkman told the Hart Media Group that the City of Monticello passed an ordinance that bans an unregulated synthetic substance called 7-OH Kratom, often packaged as an energy booster. He adds that it is often sold in gas stations, which makes it very convenient to find. 

Kirkman indicates that the substance shares shocking similarities to opioids not only in its intoxicating effects but also in its withdrawal symptoms. He says it is enough of a problem that it prompted him to bring it to City and County officials. 

The existence of 7-OH Kratom was brought to Kirkman's attention very recently, and since then, he has been watching it pop up throughout Piatt County. He and local medical professionals have been noticing the substance more as they intake patients. 

Last month, Monticello officially approved the banning of 7-OH Kratom, as well as other substances like Delta 8 and Delta 10 derivatives of THC. Kirkman notes that he is not against recreational use of legal substances, but rather it is the distribution of substances that are unregulated. 

Kirkman feels that this is a smart move by the City of Monticello. While he is aware that some believe in the holistic benefits of natural Kratom, he says that what they are targeting is a public health concern. 

Kirkman reiterates that they are not setting a precedent with this ordinance in Monticello, but they are getting ahead of the curve. Learn more about the Piatt County Mental Health Center at piattmhc.org.