What's Showing Up Next? Kratom, 7-OH, and Emerging Drug Trends Affecting Youth and Communities

Session Description: The illicit and commercial drug landscape is changing rapidly, with new psychoactive substances appearing in convenience stores, vape shops, online marketplaces, and social media long before many professionals are aware of them. Kratom, concentrated kratom extracts, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products, and other emerging substances are increasingly accessible, creating new challenges for prevention, healthcare, education, public safety, and community organizations.This interactive session will provide participants with an evidence-based overview of these rapidly evolving substances, including what they are, how they are marketed, why individuals use them, and what current research tells us about their potential health effects, misuse potential, and relationship to the broader opioid landscape. Presenters will also examine emerging trends in youth and young adult exposure, common misconceptions, and the influence of social media, retail availability, and evolving product formulations. Drawing on the latest scientific research and practical experience working with schools, communities, and prevention organizations, Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher (Stanford University) and Scott Gerbert, MHA, will translate complex research into actionable strategies that attendees can immediately apply within their own settings. Participants will also receive a preview of Stanford University's REACH Lab's new free kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) prevention curriculum, currently in development, along with information on how these evidence-informed educational resources can support prevention efforts in schools and communities. Whether attendees work in prevention, treatment, healthcare, education, law enforcement, or public health, this session will equip them to recognize emerging trends and respond with confidence using current evidence rather than myths or misinformation.