BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. — Cari Scribner, of Ballston Spa, is on a mission to raise awareness about the potential dangers of kratom, a tropical tree whose leaves are often used to self-treat conditions such as pain, anxiety, depression, and opioid use disorder. Scribner’s advocacy follows the tragic death of her 27-year-old son, Nickolas, who died in November 2024 from respiratory arrest and aspiration of gastric contents, conditions consistent with kratom intoxication.
“He seemed great, he seemed so happy really, happier than he had been,” Scribner said, reflecting on her son’s life before his untimely death.
Scribner explained that Nickolas began using kratom to manage anxiety, depression, and insomnia, believing the product labels that described it as an “all natural herbal, energy and health supplement.” She emphasized, “And the thing about Kratom is that it has stayed under the radar for too long. And it’s time people knew what it was.”…