Op-Ed:  Here are simply some thoughts from me (Bart). It’s about a news story I heard on the radio. It was so frightening that it grew and grew in my mind. I knew that the information, at least, must be shared with you. It’s just my opinion, and nothing more. But–YOU might want to let it marinate in your mental space as well. 

Every so often, something catches our ear and lingers—a story, a statistic, a warning. For me, it was a report from CBS Morning News on WGNS: an energy drink sold at gas stations and convenience stores was found to contain 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a compound derived from the kratom plant with opioid-like effects. You heard that right—opioids in your teenager’s energy drink. No, it’s not in all of them. In fact, may be only one or two. But what if that’s the one your kid gets “hooked on”? Plus–in reality, adults and even seniors are subject to addiction as well. 

Now, I love a good conspiracy yarn as much as the next person. Big Brother, shadowy organizations, government overreach—it’s all riveting. But there comes a moment when fiction collides with fact. When federal scrutiny zeroes in on something as seemingly harmless as a neon-colored beverage, it’s time to ask tough questions.

THE RED FLAGS


7-OH isn’t just a fancy chemical name; it’s a powerful agent that binds to the same receptors in the brain as morphine and codeine.
According to the FDA, it’s not just addictive—it can be more potent than morphine.
These energy drinks don’t face the same scrutiny as alcohol or tobacco when sold to teens. They’re right there next to the chips and soda.

As someone who’s spent a lifetime in journalism—telling stories, uncovering truths, bearing witness to the opioid crisis—I’ve learned how addiction rarely announces itself. It creeps in disguised as a solution: a painkiller, a stress reliever, a performance enhancer.

THE MONEY TRAIL

Let’s not pretend these products are overlooked due to oversight. It often comes down to money. Big Pharma’s aggressive marketing of drugs like OxyContin turned care into crisis, dependency into dollars. Once again, the cycle begins—only this time, it’s not behind a prescription pad, but on a convenience store shelf.

TRUST, NOT TREND

I’m not a doctor. I’m not a chemist. But I am a witness—and witnesses have a duty to speak. If you’re a parent, a caregiver, or simply someone who cares, don’t assume the government has its eye on everything. Read the label. Ask questions. Talk to your physician, not a stranger on TikTok.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES


The FDA and other agencies are now investigating products with 7-OH, some of which have tested positive for salmonella, heavy metals, and contaminants.
There’s talk of placing 7-OH on the list of federally controlled substances.
Warnings have been issued, but warnings only work if we’re listening.

DON’T WAIT FOR THE CRISIS

I’ve written about lives lost to opioids—bright young futures extinguished by overdoses that started with something that seemed “safe.” Trust is your most valuable resource. Use it wisely. Choose your experts carefully. Be skeptical, but be open.

If you take anything from this—Find someone you trust. Not a Reddit thread. Not the loudest voice on your social media feed. A professional. A physician. A reliable source.

Because one day, it won’t be a theory. It’ll be your story. BUT by then, IT MAY BE TOO LATE.