Reach Out Yucca Valley presentation on synthetic opioid crisis reveals alarming statistics
A presentation at the most recent Twentynine Palms City Council meeting alerted the Community that the Morongo Basin is in the top 3% in the State of California for overdoses. This means that the Morongo Basin has 97% more overdose occurrences than the rest of the State, which is an alarmingly high number.
While fentanyl is the leading cause of opioid-related deaths according to the California Department of Public Health, one of the synthetic opioid overdose culprits is Kratom.
In their presentation at a recent Twentynine Palms City Council meeting, Danielle Reed and Carrie Kish from Reach out Yucca Valley a community focused non profit, explained that the compound 7-Hydroxymitragynine, clinically abbreviated as 7-OH, is derived from the leaf of the Kratom plant which has been used for centuries throughout southeast Asian countries to alleviate pain and anxiety. Data shows that 7-OH metabolizes into a synthetic opioid-like substance and tests positive like fentanyl. Carrie explained that while it is not actually fentanyl, 7OH is a synthetic opioid and binds to the same receptors in the brain as fentanyl. Narcan can be used to rapidly reverse an overdose in both drugs.
Kratom has been around for years but it has undergone some significant changes in strength and format in the United States. Concentrated formulas are being sold as gummies, capsules, health supplements, energy drinks, etc. According to Reach Out, tolerance is quickly built up and larger quantities are needed to experience the same effects. Marketed as a hangover prevention and sleep aid, as well as a pain and anxiety stiller, 7-OH is frequently paired with other substances for enhanced effects.
Carrie from Reach Out explains: It’s definitely affecting us. It can definitely lead to overdose, (12:29) especially when you’re mixing it with other substances. Some of the directions people are getting is to take this when you’re going to go out and drink, so it’ll minimize hangover effects, which is really dangerous. One of the reasons opioids are so dangerous, right,is we take too much. Our opioid receptors get overwhelmed. Our breathing slows to the point that our brain and our organs are not getting oxygen, and it can cause us to die.”
Kratom can be highly addictive to those suffering from substance use disorder and Carrie shares her anguish over recent fatal results:
“One of our partners in Yucca Valley that works with youth lost someone due to 7-OH. I mean, we can look at statistics, we can look at headlines, but when you see someone’s face and you see the kids that were affected that were friends with that individual, it definitely hits differently.”
As of May 1 2026, the California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed suit against Ashlynn marketing group out of San Diego county for ignoring the previous California Department of Public Health embargo on kratom-related products.
Reach Out Yucca Valley offers help and hope to those who find themselves dependent on 7-OH. If you or someone you know is having problems with Kratom in any of its forms, go to we-reachout.org or call 760-365-7130.The California Department of Public Health also has a web page on Kratom addiction.
