pools
Shreveport Parks and Recreation (SPAR) opened its public pools on May 28.
They are open Tuesday through Friday, 1 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 1 a.m. to 5 p.m
• $2.50/per person for all ages to swim.
• $3.50/per person for all ages to swim and slide.
The Louisiana House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 154 (SB154), which would ban the possession and distribution of kratom.
Kratom is an herbal substance, derived from leaves of the Southeast Asian kratom tree, that produces stimulant effects in low doses and sedative effects in high doses, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The House passed SB154 by an 87 to six vote and, since the bill has already passed the Senate, the legislation awaits signature by Gov. Jeff Landry in order to become a law.
Louisiana legislation to ban kratom. What is kratom and is it bad for you?
The bill is sponsored by Republican Sen. Jay Morris and passed the House with bipartisan support, however, the legislation has prompted debate regarding if kratom is a public safety concern or a tool to treat addiction.
Are there side effects of kratom?
The use of kratom can lead to psychotic symptoms, as well as psychological and physiological dependence or addiction. Kratom contains two major psychoactive ingredients, known as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymytragynine.
There have been several reported cases of psychosis as a result of using kratom, in which individuals addicted to kratom exhibited psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations, delusion and confusion, says the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Kratom is mostly abused via oral ingestion in the form of a tablet, capsule or extract. Kratom can produce multiple effects on the body, including nausea, itching, sweating, dry mouth, constipation, increased urination, tachycardia, vomiting, drowsiness, and loss of appetite. Additionally, individuals that use kratom have also experienced anorexia, weight loss, insomnia, hepatotoxicity, seizure and hallucinations, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Kratom is sold in stores as a supplement and is marketed as an energy booster, mood lifter, pain reliever, as well as a remedy for symptoms from quitting opioids and experiencing withdrawal, according to the Mayo Clinic.
What to know about kratom ban in Louisiana
SB154 would classify 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine as Schedule 1 drugs, which are substances considered to have a high potential for abuse and are not currently accepted for medical use treatment in the U.S. The bill would also criminalize the possession, production and distribution of kratom, according to the bill’s text.
Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
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