Dr. Fabian Pitter Steinmetz is a senior toxicologist from Germany and an outspoken advocate for harm reduction and science-based, rational drug policy. On October 11, 2021, representing the European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policies, Dr. Steinmetz testified against kratom prohibition for the World Health Organization’s 44th Expert Committee on Drug Dependence . Dr. Steinmetz proposes three categories of a sensible drug policy, and we talk about why a history of safe use examined by social science is as important as pharmacological science, the importance of education about responsible use, the toxicology of kratom as compared to black tea, extracts vs. the natural plant, the professional stigma that goes along with being outspoken about these issues, and why drug prohibition causes more harm than the drugs themselves.
Dr. Steinmetz’s testimony at the WHO’s ECDD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhLoxXW1db4
Follow Dr. Fabian Pitter Steinmetz https://twitter.com/docsteinmetz
Read Dr. Steinmetz’ paper on harm reduction and cocaine e-cigarettes: Steinmetz, F. P., & Stöver, H. (2021). The cocaine-e-cigarette – A theoretical concept of a harm reduction device for current users of smokable cocaine forms. Drug Science, Policy and Law. https://doi.org/10.1177/20503245211049310
Music: Risey, “Memories of Thailand”
The Kratom Science Podcast is produced by Brian Gallagher for KratomScience.com
Disclaimer: None of the content on this or any episode of the Kratom Science Podcast, Kratom Science Journal Club, or any of the pages of Kratomscience.com should be considered as medical claims or medical advice.