legal drugs

Written by: Jermaine Galloway

August 2026

As we head into a new school year, there is one question I believe schools, parents, and community professionals should be asking:

Could schools begin seeing more kratom this year?

Unfortunately, I believe the answer may be yes.

That does not necessarily mean more young people are suddenly seeking out kratom. Instead, several factors may be coming together that could make kratom more visible, more affordable, and more accessible to young people.

Here are some of the trends I believe professionals should be watching.

1. Price Could Become a Bigger Factor

As states take different approaches to regulating kratom and products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), manufacturers and retailers may adjust their products, pricing, and marketing strategies.

Published in the Police Chief Magazine - November 2025 Issue

Written by: Jermaine "The Tall Cop" Galloway 

Across the nation, law enforcement officers are encountering a troubling pattern: drivers who show unmistakable signs of impairment, such as slurred speech, slowed reaction time, poor coordination, yet test negative for alcohol, cannabis, and controlled substances. Increasingly, the culprits behind these puzzling cases are not illegal narcotics, but legal or unregulated substances sold at gas stations and smoke shops.