LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
Local health and recovery officials are urging residents and local governments to take swift action following reports that a powerful synthetic opioid is being sold legally at gas stations, convenience stores and vape shops throughout Edgar and Clark counties.
The substance, known as 7-hydroxymitragynine, often shortened to 7-OH, is commonly marketed as “kratom extract,” “energy shots,” gummies or mood enhancers under names such as 7OHMZ or Cloud 7. According to the Human Resources Center of Edgar and Clark Counties (HRC), the drug is up to 13 times more potent than morphine and poses a serious risk of addiction, overdose and respiratory depression.
“These products are not safe, they are not FDA-approved and they’re being sold over the counter where teens and young adults can easily access them,” HRC officials warned in a recent community alert.
Jonathan Burns of HRC and Nikki Hanks of the Edgar County ROSC have been attending local meetings across the county to raise awareness and encourage municipalities to adopt ordinances banning the sale and distribution of 7-OH. Burns addressed the issue during a recent meeting in Hume, describing the substance as part of a growing trend of so-called “designer drugs” that stay one step ahead of federal regulation.
“This is a whack-a-mole problem,” Burns said. “The federal government can’t keep up with how fast these substances are being altered. So it ends up falling on local communities to protect themselves.”
Burns explained that while kratom itself is derived from a plant native to Indonesia, 7-OH is a chemically concentrated derivative that acts directly on opioid receptors in the brain. Unlike earlier synthetic drugs such as K2, which was designed to mimic marijuana, 7-OH mimics opioids and carries a high risk of overdose.
“We’ve already had overdoses locally tied to this substance,” Burns said. “We’re seeing addiction issues through HRC, and probation departments are seeing concerning behavior connected to it.”
Despite its potency, 7-OH remains legal to sell in Illinois, provided it is not sold to minors. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended in July 2025 that the drug be classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, the same category as heroin and LSD, but federal scheduling has not yet taken effect. In the meantime, poison control centers nationwide have reported a sharp rise in exposure calls, increasing from roughly 330 annually in 2015 to more than 1,800 by mid-2025.
Several Illinois communities have already moved to ban the substance locally, including Rockford, East Peoria, Jerseyville, Alton, Edwardsville and Carbondale. Burns is now encouraging every incorporated area in Edgar County to pass a similar ordinance so enforcement can be consistent countywide.
“If one town bans it and the next one doesn’t, it just moves across the street,” Burns said. “We need everyone on the same page so law enforcement can enforce it equally.”
Draft ordinances have been shared with both city and county officials, including the Edgar County Board, which discussed the issue during a recent study session. Board members expressed concern about enforcement, jurisdictional boundaries and how an ordinance would apply in incorporated versus unincorporated areas.
County officials also noted the lack of regulation and quality control surrounding the products, which can vary widely in concentration and may contain contaminants or undisclosed additives. Health educators at the meeting emphasized that the unregulated nature of these substances makes them especially dangerous, particularly for young people.
The proposed ordinance would make it illegal to sell or possess 7-OH with the intent to sell, with penalties escalating to fines just under $1,000. Burns encouraged municipalities to tailor the ordinance as needed while keeping it strong enough to withstand changes in chemical formulations.
“This stuff changes constantly,” he said. “That’s why the ordinance has to be broad enough to cover derivatives and not just one chemical name.”
HRC officials are also urging parents and caregivers to talk with their children about these products, read labels carefully while shopping and spread awareness in the community.
For those struggling with substance use, HRC offers support and recovery services locally. Assistance is available at the Life Center, located at 745 E. Court St. in Paris, and the Forsythe Center at 406 N. 2nd St. in Marshall. HRC can be reached at 217-465-4118.
In case of suspected overdose or exposure, residents are advised to contact Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 or call 911 if someone is unresponsive.
As local governments continue to consider action, health officials say the goal is simple: prevent harm before it becomes another widespread crisis.
“Good policy now,” Burns said, “can save lives later.”