Oxford mayor warns kratom is 'rolling the dice on death' as fears linger over Ole Miss deaths
Oxford, Mississippi, Mayor Robyn Tannehill issued a stark warning Saturday about the dangers of kratom and other "gas station drugs" after packaged kratom was recovered during investigations into the deaths of two Ole Miss students.
"To take kratom is really rolling the dice on death..." Tannehill told "Fox & Friends Weekend."
"So our challenge right now is to make our young people understand the dangers of these drugs."
TWO OLE MISS STUDENTS FOUND DEAD AS PACKAGED KRATOM IS RECOVERED AT TWO SITES: OFFICIALS
Tannehill said Oxford's city board passed a law prohibiting the sale of kratom at gas stations seven years ago, and that local authorities have been aware of the substance's dangers for some time.
"This is a substance that our police chief identified as dangerous in 2019, and we immediately took action," she said.
"So these investigations are ongoing. We are always trying to find the bad actors in our community that are choosing to sell these things to kids."
The two students were found dead Monday, Sept. 21, in separate locations — one on campus and the other off campus. Although their causes of death remain undetermined, narcotics detectives are involved in both investigations.
Authorities say, if the reports find fentanyl, a special Mississippi law can be used to target the seller.
The news has triggered fears among many Ole Miss students. One student, speaking on "The Faulkner Focus" Thursday, said some students are cautious of what they eat or drink as fears mount on campus.
Tannehill, however, attempted to assuage some of those fears.
"Oxford is an extremely safe town," she said.
"It's a place that, when you walk down the street, people still speak to you," she added. "It's a place that takes care of each other... the issues that we're dealing with right now are the issues that every college campus across the nation is dealing with. It's not unique to Oxford. Unfortunately, the spotlight is on Oxford now because of these two tragic deaths and, if that spotlight can help us save other kids, then my prayer is that this makes somebody check up and say, 'You know what, I'm not going to do that [try any substances].'"
Tannehill also reiterated that the Oxford community is awaiting autopsy and toxicology reports and until those tests are in, many details are speculation. Reports are expected to be completed as early as next week, according to the state's commissioner of public safety.
Oxford police have separately announced arrests in connection with a raid on a tobacco shop accused of trafficking narcotics.
Authorities have identified 18-year-old Aidan Hamilton and 20-year-old Robert Strang as the victims.
Fox News' Adam Sabes, Michael Ruiz and Madison Scarpino contributed to this report.