Substances continue to appear in communities across the country, often marketed as legal, “natural,” or safer alternatives to other drugs. However, substances such as Kratom and tianeptine—sometimes referred to as “gas station heroin”—can carry serious health risks, including overdose and death.
These social graphics are intended to support public health communicators with ready-to-share content on these substances.
The “What You Need to Know About the Substances Kratom and Tianeptine” shareable social graphics were initially published on July 1, 2026. They were re-published on July 17, 2026 with some new and corrected information. If you downloaded the graphics between July 1 and 2, 2026, please re-download and re-share them with your communities.
Sample Social Media Caption
Kratom and tianeptine are often marketed as “natural” or safer alternatives to other drugs, but they can carry serious risks, including overdose and death.
Swipe to learn about these substances and ways to reduce harm and stay safer. For local information and support, visit [INSERT LOCAL RESOURCE] or contact [INSERT LOCAL CONTACT].
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, April 25). Treatment of substance use disorders. https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/treatment/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 2). 5 things to know about naloxone. https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/reversing-overdose/about-naloxone.html
Striley, C. W., Hoeflich, C. C., Viegas, A. T., Berkowitz, L. A., Matthews, E. G., Akin, L. P., Iheanyi-Okeahialam, C., Mansoor, U., & McCurdy, C. R. (2022). Health effects associated with kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) and polysubstance use: A narrative review. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, 16, Article 11782218221095873. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9130800/
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025, May 9). Tianeptine products linked to serious harm, overdoses, death. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/tianeptine-products-linked-serious-harm-overdoses-death
White, R. (2026, March 3). Kratom dependence: The risks and how to get help. Public Good News. https://publicgoodnews.com/2026/03/03/what-kratom-dependence-feels-like-and-how-to-get-help/
