The University of Mississippi on Thursday named two undergrads, from Colorado and Georgia, as the students found dead earlier this week in cases that sparked renewed concerns about the drug kratom.
\n\nAidan Hamilton, an 18-year-old freshman from Englewood, Colorado, and Robert Strang, a 20-year-old junior from Atlanta, died this week, Ole Miss said.
\n\nBoth students were found on Monday, one on campus and the other in the city of Oxford, authorities have said. Packaged kratom was discovered during each of these separate death investigations, but no definitive link has been made between the drug and these deaths, officials said.
\n\nKratom is an herb with opioid-like effects sometimes sold at gas stations or online. It has gained popularity in the U.S. as an unapproved treatment for pain, anxiety and drug dependence. Kratom can either be stimulating or sedating, depending on the dosage taken, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
\n\nShawnboda Mead, the vice chancellor for student affairs, urged the campus community to reserve any judgement until law enforcement finishes its probe.
\n\n“We know there is heightened media attention and that you may be eager for answers. We also recognize that inaccurate information is being shared by individuals who do not have…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business