Family of county sewer worker urges lawmakers to restrict kratom after fatality
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Summary
Carrie Scribner told supervisors her son, a Saratoga County sewer district employee, died Nov. 17, 2024 after using kratom; she urged support for pending New York bills that would impose age limits or classification of kratom as a Schedule I substance.
Carrie Scribner told the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 20 that her son, Nicholas, died Nov. 17, 2024 after using kratom and urged lawmakers to back bills restricting the substance.
Scribner, who identified her son as a former Saratoga County Sewer District associate electrician, said he began using kratom to manage lifelong insomnia and that an episode of vomiting and "catatonic sleep" led to asphyxiation while he slept. She said his death was accidental and that he did not mix kratom with other drugs or alcohol.
Scribner told supervisors that kratom is widely sold in Saratoga County at gas stations and convenience stores in forms including powders, gummies and flavored drinks and that New York currently has no age restrictions for kratom purchases. She said there are four bills in the New York State Assembly and one in the State Senate addressing kratom, ranging from age minimums to classification as a Schedule I substance, and urged residents to contact legislators.
Chairman Barrett offered the family's condolences and noted the county had flown flags at half-staff after the employee's death. Scribner requested lawmakers place limits on kratom sales or classification changes; no formal board action or referral appears in the transcript.
