The following urgent health warning was issued by the Human Resources Center of Clark and Edgar Counties.
A coalition of local health organizations, recovery advocates, and government
officials is working to protect Edgar and Clark County residents from a dangerous synthetic
opioid being sold legally in gas stations, vape shops, and convenience stores.
Warning signs of 7-OH use include extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, nausea, and confusion. If someone is unresponsive after suspected use, call 911 immediately.
The Village of Kansas and the Clark County Board have already passed ordinances banning the
sale of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and kratom products—with more jurisdictions expected to
follow.
“This substance is essentially fake heroin being sold next to energy drinks,” said Jonathan Burns,vDirector of Development and Communications at the Human Resources Center of Edgar and Clark Counties (HRC). “When even store clerks are warning customers that it’s worse than heroin, we knew the community had to act.”
A Growing Threat Hidden in Plain Sight
7-OH is a potent derivative of the kratom plant that is approximately 13 times more potent than morphine. Despite its dangers, it’s sold legally as “energy supplements,” “pain relief pills,” and has even been marketed for weight loss.
The products are packaged to look harmless—bright colors, cartoon mascots, and health claims that give no indication of the serious risks involved. The FDA has recommended Schedule I classification for 7-OH, and Poison Control calls related to Kratom have surged from 330 in 2015 to over 1,800 in 2024.
Local Voices Sound the Alarm
At the Clark County Board meeting on January 16, community members shared powerful testimonials about the dangers they’ve witnessed firsthand.
Susan Williamson, a Clark County Probation Officer, described how one of her probationers became addicted to 7-OH after a local vape shop recommended it for weight loss. The individual, who had a history of addiction struggles, encountered the substance sold as a “nutritional supplement” and developed a new addiction.
Jessica, a Recovery Navigator with Hour House serving Edgar and Clark Counties, reported that when she visited a local store to inquire about 7-OH, the clerk warned her: “Don’t buy it unless you’re already using it—it’s worse than heroin.”
Regional Effort Underway
Local partners including HRC, Hour House, and the ROSC (Recovery Oriented Systems of Care) councils have developed model ordinances and are working with all 14 jurisdictions across Edgar and Clark Counties. In addition to Kansas and Clark County, the initiative includes Edgar County, Paris, Chrisman, Brocton, Metcalf, Hume, Vermilion, Redmon, Marshall, Casey, Martinsville, and Westfield.
“By working together across both counties, we can prevent retailers from simply moving across jurisdictional lines,” Burns explained. “This is exactly the kind of coordinated, community-based response that makes a difference.”
The effort has drawn comparisons to previous designer drug crises. “We saw this pattern with K2 and bath salts,” Burns noted. “The federal government can’t keep up with these substances, so local communities have to step up.”
Free Narcan Available
Critically, 7-OH overdoses can be reversed with naloxone (Narcan). Free Narcan is available at HRC’s locations:
- Life Center: 753 E. Court St., Paris, IL
- Forsythe Center: 406 N. 2nd St., Marshall, IL
“We encourage anyone who has a loved one struggling with substance use—or anyone who might encounter someone in crisis—to pick up Narcan,” said Susan Tybon, HRC’s Executive Director. “It’s free, it’s easy to use, and it saves lives.”
About HRC
The Human Resources Center of Edgar and Clark Counties (HRC) was founded in 1969 and serves over 1,300 individuals and families each year. HRC provides mental health services, substance use disorder treatment, developmental disability support, crisis intervention, and school-based therapy throughout both counties.
For more information about the 7-OH ban initiative, to pick up free Narcan, or to learn about HRC services, visit their website or call the main office at 217-465-4118 and ask for Jonathan Burns.
