Two University of Mississippi students were found dead this week, and investigators say store-bought kratom was present at both locations. Aidan Hamilton, an 18-year-old freshman from Englewood, Colorado, was found unresponsive at Stewart Hall on the Oxford campus Monday afternoon. Robert Strang, a 20-year-old junior from Atlanta, died off-campus. Lafayette County Metro Narcotics says the two deaths are not believed to be connected, and toxicology results are still pending, so the cause of death in each case remains under investigation.
Kratom is a leafy plant native to Southeast Asia that is sold legally in most of the country, often in gas stations and smoke shops. It acts on the same receptors in the brain as opioids, which is why health officials have raised concerns about its growing presence. Florida is one of a handful of states that has moved toward regulating kratom products, though they remain widely available here on the Suncoast. Because the deaths are still under investigation, officials have not said whether kratom played a role, only that it was found at both scenes.
Strang’s family released a statement through officials saying they are heartbroken by the loss of their son and grateful for the support of friends and family. If someone in your life is struggling with substance use, Florida’s free and confidential helpline is available 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP. Have you talked with your kids about what’s sold on store shelves near campus?
