Kratom being blamed for womans death. Everything in this story contradicts my experience...

His mother believes Ian Mautner’s death nearly five and a half years ago at an Interstate 95 overpass can be traced back to his consumption of kratom tea at a Delray Beach kava bar.

Mautner began drinking kratom tea recreationally when he was 17 years old. He was told the product was natural, safe and would help him to think clearer and relax. However, he soon became addicted, Linda Mauter said, and the substance that he hoped would help him instead sent him down a path that eventually resulted in his suicide.

Kratom is a legal substance that can be bought at gas stations, smoke shops, kava bars or online. Testimonials from some who have used it and results from preclinical studies suggest that it helps to alleviate pain and manage symptoms of opioid withdrawal, but the unregulated sale of the drug may be encouraging its recreational use as well.

Despite kratom’s legal status in most states, Ian Mautner is not the only person whose relatives and health officials say has fallen victim to the drug.

I've been using kratom for a couple years now and I don't believe it's addictive.

It absolutely helps those that must have their pain pills every day, and believe you me I have experience in this area.