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(Sharing 6/28/2026) Biweekly CHW Message: Kratom and 7-OH

  • Jun 28
  • 7 min read

Updated: Jul 6

What Are Kratom ​and 7-OH?

The Bexar County Medical Examiner recently found that a local chef died from a mixture of kratom and alcohol.  Kratom-related calls to Poison Control Centers doubled from 2024 to 2025. 

  • What Is Kratom? It's the leaf of a tree in the coffee family, traditionally used in a ceremonial tea in Southeast Asia. Depending on the dose, it can act like a stimulant or an opioid. One of its many active compounds is 7‑hydroxymitragynine ("7-OH"), which causes more of the opioid-like effects. Concentrated, synthetic 7-OH is commonly sold at vape shops, CBD shops, gas stations and online. This "gas station heroin" comes as a shot-size drink, gummy, powder, pill or capsule.

  • Texas tried to regulate kratom in 2023, banning sales to minors and synthetic versions -- however, enforcement isn't routine.

  • So what is sold as kratom may be spiked with synthetic 7-OH or other contaminants, leading to Poison Control Center calls. DSHS Health Alert from last fall  | Example of spiked products in Texas 

  • While death is rare with kratom compared with methamphetamine and fentanyl, mixing it with other substances like alcohol raises the risk. Educate people to steer clear of 7-OH and be cautious with kratom. While it's legal, the market is a Wild West, and even the natural leaf can cause liver injury, seizures and substance use disorder (NIH).


Spotlight: People Vulnerable to Heat

Tips for people who we worry about more:

If you're checking in on someone, consider using the Heat Health Check Tool (National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health, Canada). Your one-stop shop for local heat health info (illness data, renter advice, resources like Project Cool) is San Antonio's Hot Weather website.


Free CHW Learning Opportunities


Health Alert

Metro Health is advising consumers that all lots of Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula have been recalled. No illnesses have been reported in Texas, but the CDC is investigating three infant botulism cases in other states linked to Nara formula. Infant botulism is rare but serious. CDC product recall page


Infectious Diseases in the News

  • New World Screwworm: No cases in Bexar County to date. Texas has 6 quarantine zones and 12 confirmed cases in cattle, goats and sheep (Screwworm.texas.gov). Texas A&M explains how to protect your pets, and attached is a recent Texas DSHS presentation for healthcare providers.  

  • Flu Outbreak at Lackland: Civilian respiratory virus levels remain Very Low.  Data dashboards: CDC | Metro Health | DSHS | TexWEB wastewater | Walgreens Respiratory Illness Index | National wastewater 

  • Ebola: No known cases in the U.S. at this time. Public health is monitoring the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda and working with local partners on preparedness. 

  • Hantavirus: Two Texans from the cruise ship finished their monitoring period with no signs of infection.

  • Since my last update, the U.S. added 74 measles cases for a total of 2,104 in 2026, with 0 deaths. Mexico has had 11,771 cases and 16 deaths this year. Vaccination remains the most effective protection. Vaccine programs for uninsured adults and uninsured/underinsured children are explained here. 


Navigation Resources of the Week

· If you know someone using kratom to help with opioid withdrawal -- medications like methadone and buprenorphine are safer. Be Well Texas can prescribe or steer people to other community providers.

o Look for methadone clinics that allow up take-home doses under a 2024 rule change.

o We can all prevent opioid misuse by safely disposing of our unused drugs. Opioids can be flushed! See FDA's Where and How to Dispose of Unused Medicines.

· iCovenant Care is an initiative from the Kingdom Healthcare team. The website shows hours of 10 AM-2 PM Saturdays.

· Guide to Texas' women's health benefits (Title X info on p. 2 is no longer accurate, sharing anyway because the rest is still good)

· Reminder that FREE home tests for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are available at TestforTexas.org. 


Upcoming Events & Opportunities

  • Methodist Healthcare Ministries' 2027 Grant Cycle is open. Applications are due July 24. Info

  • Starting July 4, children born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, who have a Social Security Number can receive $1,000, free -- the money sits until they turn 18. How-to: trumpaccounts.gov | U.S. Treasury

  • Register by July 5 here for the South Texas AHEC CHW Lunch and Learn on Autism, which will run at noon on Mondays from July 7 to Sept. 28.

  • June 22, 9 AM-2 PM, free mammograms at Empower House, 200 Donaldson Ave. (78201). Register, call 210-704-4100 if uninsured

  • June 23, 10 AM-11 AM, One Pill Kills strategies for conversations and overdose response, Institute for Trauma Informed Care, virtual. Register

  • June 23, 6 PM-7:30 PM, NAMI suicide prevention to postvention training, virtual. Register

  • June 24, 9 AM-2 PM, South Texas Family planning women's mobile health bus, 3803 Global Wy (78235), contact vds@ywcasa.org or 210-956-6943.

  • June 24, 10 AM-11 AM, ChildSafe session on secondary traumatic stress, online. Register 

  • June 24, 1 PM-2 PM, The Missing Ingredient in CHW Program Success, from the Center for Community Health Alignment, virtual. Register

  • June 25, 8 AM-3:30 PM, 6th Annual Symposium on Aging, AACOG, hybrid online + 2700 NE Loop 410 (78217). Info and registration

  • June 25 9 AM-3 PM, CommuniCare women's health mobile unit at Impacto Comunitario, 211 N. Park Blvd. (78204), appointments preferred, call 210-233-7199

  • June 25, 2 PM-3 PM, Trauma-Informed and Community-Centered Responses to Immigration-Related Stress / Respuestas informadas por el trauma y basadas en la comunidad para abordar el estrés asociado con la inmigración, virtual, Migrant Clinicians Network. Part 1 of 3. Register / Regístrese

  • June 26, 9 AM-1 PM, Headstart dental clinic and Family Service produce giveaway, Family Service Headstart Pilgrim Center, 500 Pilgrim Dr. (78213), flyer attached

  • June 26 & 29, YWCA mammogram event, 503 Castroville Rd. (78237). To schedule an appointment, call Arlene Mora or Barbara Garcia, 210-433-9922, x212 or x243, amora@ywcasa.org and bgarcia@ywcasa.org

  • June 27, 9 AM-2 PM, health screenings including eye, oral health, vaccines and mammograms, plus CHW navigation into care from The Health Collaborative at Faith Based Institute, 251 Altitude St (78227), flyer attached.

  • June 27, 9:30 AM-12:30 PM, Cleft of the Rock Church health fair,  6041 WT Montgomery Rd. (78252). Info

  • July 1, 11:30 AM-3:30 PM, back-to-school resources and All for Them adolescent vaccines at Igniting the Harvest Church, 2311 Castroville Rd. (78237) Register

  • July 2, 2 PM-3 PM, Corazon Ministries mobile medical unit will offer wound care, glucose tests, STI testing, harm reduction services and more at the Central Library, 600 Soledad (78205). Info

  • July 6, YWCA mammogram event, 503 Castroville Rd. (78237). To schedule an appointment, call Arlene Mora or Barbara Garcia, 210-433-9922, x212 or x243, amora@ywcasa.org and bgarcia@ywcasa.org

  • July 6, 9 AM-3 PM, CommuniCare women's health mobile unit at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 4114 SW Loop 410 (78227), appointments preferred, call 210-233-7199

  • July 6-July 8, 6:30 PM, the City of San Antonio invites you to share concerns, experiences, and priorities related to disasters and emergency preparedness. Attend a virtual meeting (flyer attached) or take the survey.

  • July 7, 8 AM-1 PM, produce bags, clothing, children's dental clinic, free haircuts, back-to-school vaccines and more at West Avenue Compassion, 10715 West Avenue (78213)

  • July 8, 11 AM-1 PM, learn to make the most of Health Confianza's new "Health Begins with Confianza" roadmaps. Flyer attached. Register

  • July 8, 1 PM-2 PM, City rental assistance application portal opens (second Wednesday of each month)

  • July 9, 9 AM-noon, free haircuts for adults and children at the Coker Health & Wellness Center, 231 East North Loop Road (78216)

  • July 9, 9AM-1 PM, free back-to-school vaccines (9 AM-noon) and children's dental clinic (10 AM-1 PM) at Coker Scout Lodge, 14630 Wurzbach Pwky (78216). Contact scavazos@mhm.org.

  • July 9, 6 PM-7 PM, Stop the Bleed training by UH, Texas Diabetes Institute boardroom, 701 S. Zarzamora (78207)

  • Each week, Westcare puts out a packed, magazine-format roundup of upcoming community events—read it by clicking here. 

  • San Antonio Compassion posts flyers for resources and upcoming events here.


Logistics—How Do I Get…  

VACCINES 

  • Uninsured? For recommended childhood vaccines and some adult vaccines, click the green buttons on this page for Texas Vaccines for Children and Adult Safety Net providers.

  • Insured? Use a pharmacy--it's fast and no-cost to you. The American Pharmacists Association offers this pharmacy map -- filter by walk-in vaccine access, handicap accessibility, hours of operation and spoken languages. (No matter what the map says, it still helps to make an appointment.) 

  • Homebound seniors: Medicare will pay a doctor or other care provider to give flu, COVID-19, Hepatitis B and pneumococcal vaccines in the home, more info here.

  • Everyone is still eligible for COVID vaccines this year, and it is still covered by insurance. Hate the side effects? Look for the non-mRNA formulation (the "protein vaccine" here). 

    • No prescription is required at the major national pharmacy chains.

    • For those without health insurance, this is the best discount coupon I've found ($89 as of January 2026)--still pricey, but cheaper than the treatment pills. 

    • If you are unable to get the vaccine, remember the old standbys of clean air, frequent handwashing, masking, staying away from others who are sick (and also when you're sick). More info


TESTING

  • The federal program for free home tests has ended. Some health insurers still cover these.

  • How to Use Home COVID and Flu Tests:

    • Lab tests are preferred for people with symptoms. If you are unable to obtain a lab test, then repeat your home COVID test every 48 hours for a total of at least two tests.

    • If any result is positive, stay home and away from others for at least 24 hours—until your symptoms are getting better and you’ve haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours (without taking fever reducers). What to Do If You Feel Sick (CDC)

  • Before throwing out an expired home test, see if the expiration date was extended by checking the Expiration Date column of the FDA’s List of Authorized At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests.


TREATMENT 

  • Medications must start quickly (within 5 days of symptoms for COVID, within just 2-3 days for the flu)—so don’t delay getting a test and a diagnosis. 

  • If you are at risk for complications and need antiviral pills: Low-cost online visits are available. Some people are eligible for co-pay assistance from the drug manufacturer. Learn more. 


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