A Mother's Heartbreaking Plea: Banning Kratom After Son's Tragic Death

The silent grief of a mother, a void left by a life cut short – this is Tammy Stastny’s reality. Her son, Casey, just 32, tragically succumbed to Kratom toxicity, transforming her unimaginable pain into an unyielding mission: to ban the very substance she believes stole him away.

Casey's battle began innocently enough.

Seeking relief from a debilitating back injury, he turned to Kratom, a plant-based substance touted by some as a natural remedy for pain and anxiety. But for Casey, it spiraled into a relentless addiction, a shadow that clung to him even after a stint in rehabilitation. His family witnessed firsthand the insidious grip Kratom exerted, a grip that ultimately proved fatal.

"I didn’t even know what Kratom was," Tammy tearfully recounted, a sentiment shared by countless parents unaware of this readily available, yet largely unregulated, substance.

Now, armed with her son’s story, she stands as a beacon for change, passionately advocating for Nebraska's Legislative Bill 929, a pivotal piece of legislation aimed at making Kratom illegal. Her plea is simple yet profound: no other family should endure this agony.

Often found on the shelves of gas stations, smoke shops, and online, Kratom originates from a Southeast Asian tree.

While proponents claim it offers relief from chronic pain, depression, and even opioid withdrawal, its safety profile remains shrouded in controversy. The FDA has not approved it for any medical use, raising serious red flags about its efficacy and, more critically, its potential for harm.

Critics, like Tammy, warn of its addictive nature, severe side effects including seizures, liver damage, and respiratory depression, and the very real risk of overdose.

The lack of stringent regulation means consumers are often unaware of the potency or purity of what they’re ingesting. While Nebraska has seen attempts to regulate Kratom (like the failed Kratom Consumer Protection Act), a complete ban, as seen in states like Alabama, Arkansas, and Wisconsin, remains Tammy’s ultimate goal.

Tammy Stastny's voice is a powerful one, echoing the silent screams of families shattered by this substance.

Her message to other parents is urgent: "Educate yourselves. This isn't just an herbal remedy; it's a dangerous, addictive drug." Her fight is not just for Casey, but for every potential victim, a testament to a mother's enduring love and unwavering courage in the face of immense loss.